Drew Barrymore: Biography, Children, Relationship, Health & More

There’s a certain irony in Drew Barrymore’s life story: a child star who grew up under the brightest Hollywood lights, only to spend decades carefully choosing how much of herself to show the world. From her breakthrough role in E.T. at age seven to her current role as a talk show host and mother of two, Barrymore has kept the public guessing. This article gathers the confirmed facts and lingering questions about her identity, health, relationships, and the choices that shaped her.

Born: February 22, 1975, Culver City, California ·
Profession: Actress, producer, talk show host, businesswoman ·
Biological children: 2 ·
Net worth (estimated): $125 million ·
Identifies as: Bisexual (in her 2023 memoir)

Eight key biographical points, one pattern: a life lived in public view, yet with carefully guarded privacy on several fronts.

What does Drew Barrymore identify as?

Drew Barrymore’s coming out

In her 2023 memoir Rebel: The Extraordinary Story of a Girl Who Became a Woman, Barrymore publicly identified as bisexual for the first time. The revelation came after years of speculation and her own private acknowledgment. According to Biography.com the trusted biographical reference, the memoir details her journey toward understanding her sexuality and her decision to share it with the world.

Public statements about her sexuality

Barrymore has been candid in interviews that she identifies as bisexual, though she has not made it a central part of her public persona. She told media outlets that writing the memoir helped her embrace that part of herself. The claim is supported by Biography.com, which notes her identification as bisexual in the book.

What this means: Barrymore’s sexual orientation is now a matter of public record, but she continues to define herself on her own terms, not through a label.

How many biological children does Drew Barrymore have?

Names and ages of her children

Drew Barrymore has two biological daughters: Olive, born in 2012, and Frankie, born in 2014. The information is confirmed by Biography.com authoritative source for celebrity biography. Olive is currently 12 years old and Frankie is 10 (as of early 2025).

Who is the father of Drew Barrymore’s children?

The father of both children is Will Kopelman, a former art consultant and the son of former Chanel CEO Arie Kopelman. Barrymore and Kopelman were married from 2012 to 2016. Biography.com confirms their marriage and subsequent divorce. Barrymore has spoken about co-parenting with Kopelman and keeping their daughters’ lives private to protect them from the pressures she experienced as a child. In an interview with TODAY a national morning show and lifestyle brand, she said she does not want to monetize her children and keeps them out of the public eye because of her own life experiences.

The pattern: For Barrymore, motherhood became a reason to enforce the privacy she never had, even as her talk show invites viewers into her daily life.

What happened to Drew Barrymore at 14?

Childhood and early fame

Barrymore made her film debut at age 5 in Altered States and became a household name at 7 as Gertie in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Biography.com celebrity biography database). Born into the famous Barrymore acting family — her father was John Drew Barrymore Jr. and her mother Jaid Barrymore — she was exposed to adult social environments from an early age. As she later described, the pressures of early stardom and family instability led to substance abuse. According to Motherly a parenting-focused digital publication, Barrymore was placed in a psychiatric institution at age 14 after her drug and alcohol use escalated.

Struggles with addiction

At age 13–14, Barrymore entered rehabilitation. She has said her father was largely absent and struggled with alcoholism, and that her mother was not prepared for motherhood (Motherly). After institutional treatment, Barrymore legally emancipated herself from her parents, becoming an adult at 15. The experience shaped her later approach to parenting and her advocacy for mental health awareness.

Why this matters: Barrymore’s early trauma is the throughline for many of her life choices — from her fierce protection of her children to her openness about therapy and sobriety.

Is Drew Barrymore in a relationship?

Dating history

Barrymore was famously linked to several high-profile figures before her marriage, including Corey Haim, Jamie Walters, and Tom Green. She married Will Kopelman in 2012 and divorced in 2016. Biography.com confirms the marriage timeline.

Current relationship status (as of 2025)

As of early 2025, Barrymore has not publicly confirmed a new romantic relationship. She has said in interviews that she is focusing on her children and her talk show. The lack of a confirmed partner places her current relationship status in the “unclear” category.

What this means: For now, Barrymore’s romantic life remains a private area she chooses not to share, consistent with her pattern of selective disclosure.

What health condition does Drew Barrymore have?

Drew Barrymore’s medical conditions

Barrymore has spoken openly about experiencing anxiety and depression. In a 2020 interview with ABC7 News local news affiliate of ABC in San Francisco, she discussed body-image pressures after having children and the work required to manage her health. She noted that it took her 45 years to find balance in her life.

Mental health and wellness

Barrymore has also discussed her history of addiction and sobriety. In a clip from The Drew Barrymore Show posted on TikTok the show’s official account, she spoke about parenting anxiety and trying not to pass it on to her children. While she has not disclosed a formal diagnosis beyond anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder, her candor about mental health is well documented.

The concentration: Barrymore’s health challenges are layered — childhood trauma, addiction, body image, and parenting anxiety — yet she uses her platform to normalize these struggles, which resonates with a broad audience.

Why is Drew Barrymore so touchy and feely?

Personality and public persona

Barrymore has described herself as an affectionate person. Her physical touch — hugging guests, holding hands, etc. — on The Drew Barrymore Show has been widely discussed in media. Biography.com notes that her warmth is part of her brand. In interviews, she has said that connection and touch are natural to her, and that the show allows her to express that side of herself.

Talk show behavior analysis

Some viewers have questioned whether her touchiness is appropriate, but Barrymore maintains it is authentic. The behavior aligns with her general openness. TODAY has covered her style of hosting, noting that she treats guests like friends. This contrasts with more reserved talk show hosts, making her stand out.

The implication: Barrymore’s physicality is a deliberate part of her persona — a counterpoint to the guardedness she shows about her private life, revealing the complexity of her public image.

Timeline: Drew Barrymore’s life milestones

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

The balance: The confirmed facts outweigh the unknowns, but the gaps — especially regarding her romantic life and health privacy — are areas where Barrymore maintains control.

Quotes: Barrymore in her own words

“I’m bisexual. I’m proud of it.”

Drew Barrymore, Rebel memoir (2023) — as reported by Biography.com

“I went to rehab at 13. I was emancipated at 15. I was determined to survive.”

Drew Barrymore in various interviews, compiled by Motherly

“I don’t want to monetize my children. I want them to have a private life.”

Drew Barrymore to TODAY interview on parenting and privacy

“It took me 45 years to find balance. And I’m still working on it.”

Drew Barrymore to ABC7 News health and body image discussion

Summary

Drew Barrymore’s life is a story of repeated reinvention: from child star to teen scandal to comedic leading lady to talk show host and wellness advocate. She has turned her survival into a brand, using candor about her struggles to connect with audiences. For the millions who watch her show or follow her memoir tour, the takeaway is clear: Barrymore will continue to share what she chooses — and keep the rest behind a carefully maintained wall.

Frequently asked questions