Oliver Hudson has opened up about the surprising choice he and his sister Kate Hudson made when Kurt Russell extended an offer to adopt them. In a recent episode of their podcast “Sibling Revelry,” Oliver, 48, delved into the details, reflecting on the moment that happened during his childhood when Russell, who has been a father figure to them, suggested adoption.
During the November 24 episode, the Hudson siblings spoke with their guests, Tish Cyrus-Purcell and Brandi Cyrus, prompting Oliver to discuss his own experience growing up with a complicated family dynamic. He shared, “Kurt came into my life when I was five or six and essentially raised me. I credit him with who I am today.” However, when the topic of adoption arose, Oliver and Kate, then just children, declined the offer. “We didn’t really understand what it meant,” he admitted. “At that moment, we felt the love was right there and didn’t feel it was necessary.”
Kurt Russell has been a steadfast figure in the lives of Oliver and Kate since he became involved with their mother, Goldie Hawn, in the early ’80s. Their estranged father, Bill Hudson, has publicly recognized Russell’s role in their upbringing, stating, “I couldn’t have picked a better man to be their surrogate father.” Bill, who was largely absent from Oliver and Kate’s early lives, has expressed admiration for the bond they share with Russell.
Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson’s marriage lasted from 1976 until their split in 1982, and over the years, the Hudson siblings have been vocal about their feelings of abandonment. However, Russell stepped in and embraced the role of “Pa,” providing a sense of stability that the children needed.
While Bill Hudson has spoken about wanting to rebuild relationships with his children, it seems that the Hudsons find their familial bond with Russell and Hawn to be enough. This dynamic is a testament to the family’s ability to find strength in their unconventional relationships, proving that love, in whatever form it takes, can effectively fill the gaps left by absence—whether from biological ties or not.
As the conversation continued in the podcast, Oliver and Kate demonstrated the deep and unbreakable connection they share, emphasizing that family can be defined by the bonds forged through love and support, not just blood relations. In their eyes, Kurt Russell was and still is a pivotal figure, a true father in every sense that matters.