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Reese Witherspoon has accomplished a lot in life. In addition to her successful acting career that includes an Oscar win for Walk the Line, Reese owns a clothing company, Draper James, and is the co-founder of a successful media company, Hello Sunshine, that has produced a number of her hit shows, including Big Little Lies, The Morning Show and Little Fires Everywhere. But Reese’s greatest accomplishment is undoubtedly that of being a mother to her three beloved children: Ava Phillippe, Deacon Phillippe and Tennessee Toth.
Below, learn more about Reese’s kids following her divorce from Jim Toth.
Ava Phillippe
Ava is Reese’s eldest child with her first husband, actor Ryan Phillippe. She was born on September 9, 1999 — just three months after the couple tied the knot in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 5, 1999. Reese, who split from Ryan in 2006, later revealed in a 2008 interview with Jay Leno that Ava was named after Hollywood icon Ava Gardner. “To me, she was the only woman who could break Sinatra,” Reese said. “So the idea of that name to me is very classy and strong.”
As of summer 2021, Ava was studying at the University of California, Berkeley. In a 2019 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Reese admitted it was tough watching her eldest leave for college. “It’s weird when your children go away to college. It’s hard,” she said. “I might have gone into her empty room, laid down on her bed, and cried.”
Alongside her studies, Ava has pursued occasional modeling work, including a standout appearance in Rodarte’s Fall 2018 lookbook alongside Marvel stars Danai Gurira and Tessa Thompson. She’s also shown an interest in the arts, sharing her own photography, abstract drawings, and sculptures on social media.
Despite her busy schedule, Ava still makes plenty of time for Reese. The look-alike duo is often spotted together, both privately and at high-profile events. In May 2019, they attended the Big Little Lies premiere, where fans couldn’t get over how much Ava resembled her mom. She also joined Reese at the LA Dance Project Gala in 2018 and the Wall Street Journal Magazine Innovator Awards in 2017.
In 2025, Ava made her acting debut on the ABC series The Odyssey. In a behind-the-scenes clip shared on Doctor Odyssey’s social media, Ava revealed she plays a character named Veronica in an episode premiering on April 3.
Deacon Phillippe
Deacon is Reese and Ryan’s second and youngest child together before their split. He was born on October 23, 2003. Like his sister Ava, Deacon shares a strong resemblance to his famous mom. He and Reese have a close bond, often sharing selfies together on social media—like one from April 2021 that showed them smiling in front of a stunning sunset.
Deacon graduated high school in 2022 and is now a student at New York University, where he’s been pursuing his passion for music. His family showed their support in April 2023 at the release party for his debut album, A New Earth.
He released his first single, “Long Run,” in July 2020, followed by “Love for the Summer” in October 2020, a track written by Kelsea Ballerini. Reese proudly promoted his music on social media, calling “Long Run” the “New Song of the Summer!” Ryan also cheered Deacon on, writing on Instagram, “Stream it nonstop for me. So proud of you.”
In July 2022, Netflix announced that Deacon would be joining Season 3 of Never Have I Ever, where he played a character named Parker.
Tennessee Toth
Tennessee is Reese’s youngest child and her only one with her now ex-husband, talent agent Jim Toth. Reese and Jim began dating in February 2010, got engaged that December, and married on March 26, 2011, in Ojai, California. They welcomed Tennessee on September 27, 2012.
The former couple announced their divorce just days ahead of their 12-year wedding anniversary via Instagram on Mar. 24, 2023. “We have some personal news to share… It is with a great deal of care and consideration that we have made the difficult decision to divorce,” the Instagram note read at the time. “We have enjoyed so many wonderful years together and are moving forward with deep love, kindness and mutual respect for everything we have created together. Our biggest priority is our son and our entire family as we navigate this next chapter,” they continued. “These matters are never easy and are extremely personal. We truly appreciate everyone’s respect for our family’s privacy at this time.”
That same day, a source claimed to PEOPLE that the former lovebirds will remain friendly for their family. “They really are the best of friends and this is such an amicable decision. They are so committed to co-parenting together. They are invested in their whole family and making this as smooth as possible for everyone,” the insider said.
Given Tennessee’s age, Reese largely keeps her youngest child out of the spotlight. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Reese gave fans a few glimpses of life with him at home, including photos of Tennessee doing school remotely and hilariously interrupting one of her work calls while playing outside on a swing. “Really nailing this WFH/homeschooling life,” she joked at the time.
Reese has also occasionally shared sweet birthday tributes for her youngest. For his 8th birthday in 2020, she decorated with blue balloons and treated him to a chocolate-frosted donut for breakfast. “You are the brightest spirit, the most inquisitive soul, and the funniest little guy I know,” she wrote on Instagram. “What a joy it is to be your Mama.”
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