RT Laura Ingraham Celebrates Daughter Maria’s Freshman Year, Reflects on Joys and Struggles of Motherhood

Laura Ingraham, Fox News host and mother of three, is marking a special milestone: her eldest daughter, Maria Caroline, has successfully completed her freshman year at Texas A&M University. For Ingraham, this moment is not just about academics—it’s a celebration of the journey that brought them together and the challenges of raising a child through adoption.

Maria, now 18, was adopted from Guatemala in 2008 when she was just three years old. Ingraham has often spoken about the emotional highs and lows of parenting, especially navigating adoption, blended with the demands of a high-profile media career. “It wasn’t always easy,” Ingraham said. “There were days when I questioned if I was doing the right thing, but watching Maria grow into this thoughtful, independent young woman makes every struggle worth it.”

Over the years, Ingraham has shared glimpses into the bond she shares with Maria. From long bedtime conversations when Maria was a child to weekend trips exploring museums and local parks, the two built a relationship rooted in trust and shared curiosity. “We have this running joke that she’s the boss,” Ingraham laughed. “I swear, she’s been making executive decisions since she was five.”

The recent freshman year milestone provided another moment of pride. Ingraham recounted the phone call she received from Maria during finals week. “She called me from her dorm and was practically bouncing off the walls. She said, ‘Mom, I just found out I made the Dean’s List!’ I couldn’t stop smiling. I felt like every challenge we’d faced together—every worry, every late-night homework session—was worth it.”

Ingraham says the achievement reflects not only Maria’s dedication but also the values she hoped to instill: perseverance, curiosity, and self-confidence. “When I adopted Maria, I hoped I could give her the tools to navigate the world,” Ingraham explained. “Seeing her accomplish something on her own, and hear her excitement on the phone, was one of the proudest moments of my life.”

While Ingraham keeps her other two children, Michael Dmitri and Nikolai Peter, largely out of the public eye, she notes that each child has their own unique strengths and challenges. “Every one of my kids is different,” she said. “Parenting them has taught me patience, humility, and a lot about myself.”

As Maria prepares for her sophomore year, Ingraham looks forward to the memories ahead. “I know college is just the beginning,” she said. “But I’ll always cherish these moments—the calls, the laughter, and yes, even the worries. They’re all part of the journey of being a mom, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

EXCLUSIVE :“I WANT TO BE PART OF NIGEL FARAGE” – Kemi Badenoch’s SHOCKING declaration rocks Britain

Kemi Badenoch blasts Tory splitters ‘who want to be a notch on Nigel Farage’s bed post’

Embattled Tory leader Kemi Badenoch sought to downplay the impact of a steady flow of defections from Conservative ranks to Nigel Farage’s Reform party

Kemi Badenoch has faced questions about her leadership amid dismal poll ratings

Kemi Badenoch has said she won’t be distracted by Tory defectors who “want to be a notch on Nigel Farage’s bed post” as she battles to turn round her party’s ailing fortunes.

Former Defence Minister Sarah Atherton became the 18th ex-Tory to join Reform UK on Thursday, in a blow to Ms Badenoch ahead of Conservative conference at the weekend. Last month, sitting MP Danny Kruger defected to Mr Farage’s party.

The Tories will gather in Manchester at the weekend amid recriminations over dismal poll ratings and a string of defections to Reform. Ms Badenoch said Mr Farage was likely to try “a stunt or two” to distract attention during the conference but sought to downplay the impact of Tories joining Reform.

She told ConservativeHome: “If people want to be notches on Nigel Farage’s bedpost, I will remind them of people who went to Labour.

Nigel Farage has welcome a number of Tory has-beens to Reform

(Image: PA)

“The same thing happened when Labour was doing well last year, just before the election, we had Dan Poulter and Natalie Elphicke [Tories who joined Labour] cross the floor. Lots of people run to the party they think is ahead.”

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She added: “We’ve got, we need, people who believe in what we believe.”

Pressure is mounting on Ms Badenoch after a torrid first year in charge, which has seen Reform steal a march among right-wing voters. But she said she had to focus on rebuilding as the party was at risk of going bankrupt after the disastrous general election defeat.

She added: “The way to do that is going to be painful, very, very painful, and we have to stay the course, hold our nerve and endure it, and then we will come out the other side.

“If we flap every single moment and worry why we haven’t got there after one day, or after one month, or after one year, we’re not going to get there.”

Polling from YouGov found one in five (21%) voters think it’s likely that the Tories will no longer be a major force in 10 years’ time. Nearly half (45%) think Ms Badenoch has done badly as leader, and just one in five (20%) think she has done well.