Christopher Reeve's Three Kids Live Drastically Different Lives After Losing Both Their Parents To Illness (2024)

Almost two decades after his passing, the memory of Christopher Reeve endures in various ways, with different individuals cherishing the late actor for different reasons. To some, it's his iconic portrayal of Superman and the indomitable strength and courage he exhibited as he persevered following the accident that left him quadriplegic.

For his three children—Will, Alexandra, and Matthew Reeve—it's the countless moments they shared with their beloved father. Although they are leading different lives from each other, they remain committed to continuing their parents’ legacy through the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which is dedicated to advancing spinal cord injury research and enhancing the quality of life for those living with paralysis.

Christopher Reeve And His Wife Dana Reeve Did Not Let Their Illnesses Get In The Way Of Their Activism

In 1995, at an equestrian event in Culpeper, Virginia, Christopher Reeve faced a life-changing moment when he fell off his horse, which led to a severe neck injury, often referred to as a hangman's injury.

This devastating incident left Reeve paralyzed from the shoulders down, and he received the grim prognosis that ninety percent of his body would no longer register sensation. In response to his hardship, Reeve emerged as a steadfast advocate for individuals with disabilities and the field of rehabilitation therapy.

In partnership with his wife Dana Reeve, he founded the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center in New Jersey. The center's primary focus was to empower those with paralysis, teaching them to live more independently. Reeve's commitment to the cause extended to his support for stem cell research, which became a significant issue in the presidential campaign between President Bush and Senator Kerry.

Tragically, in 2004, while receiving treatment for an infected pressure sore, Reeve experienced a sudden cardiac arrest, slipped into a coma, and died at the age of 52.

Following his passing, his wife Dana assumed leadership of the foundation. However, only a year later, in 2005, she received the devastating diagnosis of lung cancer, despite having never smoked.

During that tumultuous period, she also lost her mother and contemplated the unsettling possibility of her 13-year-old son becoming an orphan. Her battle with cancer ended in 2006 at the age of 44, a mere 17 months after her husband's passing.

Christopher Reeve's Children Continue To Honor His Memory Despite Living Different Lives

Throughout his lifetime, Christopher Reeve had two partners. The first was Gae Exton, a British modeling executive. Although Reeve and Exton separated in 1987, they remained amicable for the sake of their children, Matthew and Alexandra Reeve. Reeve married singer and actress Dana Reeve, and welcomed their only son, William Reeve in 1992.

All three of Reeve's children serve on the board of directors for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Among them, Matthew has followed in his father's footsteps in the entertainment industry. After graduating from Brown University, he produced and directed his first movie. In 2002, he created a documentary about his father, Christopher Reeve: Hope in Motion, which aired on ABC under the title Christopher Reeve: Courageous Steps.

After his initial documentary, he produced a follow-up titled Christopher Reeve: Choosing Hope, which aired on BBC shortly after his father's passing. In 2009, Matthew created a documentary called Over the Water, which focused on a World Champion kiteboarder named Aaron Hadlow.

After his father's accident, Matthew developed a strong interest in activism related to similar injuries. In 2009, he ran a marathon to raise funds for spinal cord injury research. In 2014, he sponsored a study on epidural stimulation and delivered several keynote speeches addressing spinal cord injuries.

Alexandra Reeve married Garren Givens in 2008, and she named her son Christopher Russell Reeves in honor of her late father. She started her career as a litigator and taught at Columbia Law and Georgetown Law for nine years.

According to her company's website, she is the CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting digital civil rights. She advocates for online privacy, access to information, and human rights in the digital age. Alexandra also leads an international team through shaping technology policy and influencing public opinion on tech policy matters.

William "Will" Reeve, the youngest among the three siblings, graduated from Middlebury College. After he worked as an intern at Good Morning America, he secured a position on ESPN's SportsCenter and has been a correspondent for ABC News and Good Morning America since 2018. In July 2021, Will penned a heartfelt piece for Good Morning America about his father's legacy and their shared love for whale-watching.

Matthew, Alexandra, And William Reeve Maintain A Close Connection Through Their Parent's Legacy

William Reeve shared with B&NC the strong bond he shares with his half-siblings, Matthew and Alexandra Reeve. He emphasized that despite being half-siblings, they are really close and make an effort to come together whenever possible.

All three of Christopher Reeve's children are actively continuing their father's work through the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation despite running into some legal troubles. "My dad's ultimate dream was a world of empty wheelchairs. I'm really proud to continue my parents' legacy and to further their mission to find cures for paralysis and provide quality-of-life care for affected individuals and families," William told B&NC.

According to Closer Weekly, Alexandra Reeve reflected on her father's values and contributions and emphasized the importance of carrying on his legacy and remaining a part of the community. She spoke about her father's resilience and how he embraced his circumstances despite not choosing the spinal cord injury that affected the entire family.

"He found himself in a position he definitely wouldn't have chosen, but he definitely chose to embrace it. A spinal cord injury doesn't just happen to the individual it happens to the whole family." Matthew Reeve told Entertainment Tonight.

During the annual Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation's A Magical Evening Gala, in 2019, Matthew recognized the progress made in spinal cord injury research. "I think he would be thrilled that we're all involved — my siblings and I — and that the foundation continues to grow. He was frustrated by the pace and speed. We've now entered a new era — a new, technology-based solution through epidermal stimulation."