Mark Wahlberg Jokes Daughter, 18, Is 'Doing Tattoos' and Says He Has 'No Authority' Over Her

Mar. 15, 2025

Mark Wahlbergis embracing life as a teen dad.Appearing onLive! With Kelly and RyanMonday, the actor opened up about how his three oldest —Brendan, 13,Michael, 16, andElla Rae, 18, are all teenagers and daughterGrace Margaretwill join them in January, when she turns 13.When hostRyan Seacrestasked Wahlberg what the teens were up to, he shared that Ella is getting ready to finish school and looking at colleges.“My 18-year-old, now I literally have no authority over her until she realizes she needs me financially,” he joked. “She’s doing tattoos and all this stuff but she’s now really focused on academics, which is great. It took her a while to get there.“After she graduates, the actor plans on touring colleges with her. “She’s going to graduate mid-year and then we’re going on tour,” he shared. “She’s picking the most random places — San Diego State, Clemson — so we’re going to go to all these places.“rhea wahlberg/ instagramNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Kelly Ripa— whose oldest has graduated college while her other two continue their studies — offered a word of advice to Wahlberg. “Don’t say a word. Do you hear me? You don’t say a word.““That’s the motto with my oldest daughter and my wife!” he replied.Ripa later added, “If you think whatever school is the best place, you shut it. Because you will talk them right out of that school.““I will take that advice because we’re literally going from one school to the other,” Wahlberg said.Rhea Wahlberg InstagramEarlier this year, Wahlberg shared his praise for Ella’s boyfriend, even sharing a sweet tribute onInstagramfor their first anniversary.“Happy 1 year anniversary Ella and James 🙏❤️🙏 I’m so happy for you guys! I couldn’t be more proud of you Ella!! I love you guys. ❤️🌹,” Wahlberg wrote alongside a photo of the couple smiling together.Wahlberg previously raved that he and wifeRhea Durham, 43, find him to be a"great young man,“even going to the gym with James.“Ella is a lucky girl and I’m a lucky dad! He is a great young man,” he captioned a post from that occasion. “I used to work out to keep the boys away from my girls, and now I’m working out with the boyfriend. Imagine that.”

Mark Wahlbergis embracing life as a teen dad.

Appearing onLive! With Kelly and RyanMonday, the actor opened up about how his three oldest —Brendan, 13,Michael, 16, andElla Rae, 18, are all teenagers and daughterGrace Margaretwill join them in January, when she turns 13.

When hostRyan Seacrestasked Wahlberg what the teens were up to, he shared that Ella is getting ready to finish school and looking at colleges.

“My 18-year-old, now I literally have no authority over her until she realizes she needs me financially,” he joked. “She’s doing tattoos and all this stuff but she’s now really focused on academics, which is great. It took her a while to get there.”

After she graduates, the actor plans on touring colleges with her. “She’s going to graduate mid-year and then we’re going on tour,” he shared. “She’s picking the most random places — San Diego State, Clemson — so we’re going to go to all these places.”

rhea wahlberg/ instagram

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Kelly Ripa— whose oldest has graduated college while her other two continue their studies — offered a word of advice to Wahlberg. “Don’t say a word. Do you hear me? You don’t say a word.”

“That’s the motto with my oldest daughter and my wife!” he replied.

Ripa later added, “If you think whatever school is the best place, you shut it. Because you will talk them right out of that school.”

“I will take that advice because we’re literally going from one school to the other,” Wahlberg said.

Rhea Wahlberg Instagram

Earlier this year, Wahlberg shared his praise for Ella’s boyfriend, even sharing a sweet tribute onInstagramfor their first anniversary.

“Happy 1 year anniversary Ella and James 🙏❤️🙏 I’m so happy for you guys! I couldn’t be more proud of you Ella!! I love you guys. ❤️🌹,” Wahlberg wrote alongside a photo of the couple smiling together.

Wahlberg previously raved that he and wifeRhea Durham, 43, find him to be a"great young man,“even going to the gym with James.

“Ella is a lucky girl and I’m a lucky dad! He is a great young man,” he captioned a post from that occasion. “I used to work out to keep the boys away from my girls, and now I’m working out with the boyfriend. Imagine that.”

source: people.com