Emily Ratajkowski | John David "JD" Ratajkowski and Kathleen Balgley | Source: Getty Images | Instagram.com/emrata
Emily Ratajkowski's parents, John David "JD" Ratajkowski and Kathleen Balgley, significantly influenced their daughter's perception of beauty and its importance. Emily has since written a book about her experiences growing up and her challenges because her family prioritized physical attributes.
Emily Ratajkowski is undoubtedly a beautiful woman whose parents significantly influenced her as she grew older.
With rumors surrounding her alleged relationship with Brad Pitt swirling, fans are paying more attention to the actress and model.
The American model married film producer Sebastian Bear-McClard for four years but filed for divorce in September 2022. A source later revealed that she has been hanging out with the "Bullet Train" star, although "friends aren't sure if it's serious."
Curious minds who hope to know her more would have to know her parents as well because of how they molded her into thinking physical beauty was very important.
Emily Ratajkowski Cemented Her Parents' Relationship
Emily's mom, Kathleen Balgley, a writer and professor at the San Diego Jewish Academy, is of Irish, German, and Polish descent. Meanwhile, Emily's father, John David "JD" Ratajkowski, an art teacher and painter, is also of Polish, Irish, German, and English descent.
She detailed her experiences growing up with a glorified perception of beauty.
Balgley and Ratajkowski had their fair share of marital problems in the past. Growing up, she described some of her days in a beautiful home. "It would fill with my father's excitement over a new painting he was working on or with my mother's joyous preparation for a visit from friends," she said.
However, there were also difficult moments that plagued the household. Through it, Emily felt she was the glue holding her parents together. She said:
"I knew that my parents had been on again [and] off again for years before my mother became pregnant with me, and they decided to get married. I understood that even before I was born, my existence was the essential glue of their relationship."
Balgley and Ratajkowski welcomed their daughter, Emily O'Hara, on June 7, 1991, in London, England. However, she is not a British citizen. The model only lived in London until age six.
Emily Ratajkowski’s Mother
After obtaining a Ph.D. in Literature from the University of California, Balgley lectured for UCLA Writing programs, became an Associate Professor at California State University, and taught in two community colleges.
She also authored books and essays such as "Letters to My Father: Excavating a Jewish Identity in Poland and Belarus" along with "House as Edifices of Values: Feminine Selfhood in Jane Austen's 'Mansfield Park,' George Eliot's 'Middlemarch,' and E.M. Forster's 'Howards End.'"
Beyond her career, Balgley significantly influenced her daughter's perception of beauty. "It seemed important to them both, especially my mother, that their daughter is perceived as beautiful," Emily said.
From the moment she was born, Emily's looks were already discussed. Balgley taught her daughter to prioritize physical appearances at an early age. "Beauty was a way for me to be special," she added. "When I was special, I felt my parent's love for me the most."
At age 12, Emily became aware that men would gravitate toward her, something her mother also noticed. Balgley often pointed out such instances, letting her daughter know that Emily's beauty was desirable and coveted.
It came as no surprise that Balgley herself was a beauty, often compared to the likes of Vivien Leigh and Elizabeth Taylor.
Emily Ratajkowski’s Father
As an artist, John paid very close attention to detail. His interest in drawing, painting, sculpting, and the like came at an early age, encouraging him to create art. However, his passion remained to be painting.
John's work focused on abstract paintings, translated into diverse subjects such as Irish musicians, American blues musicians, the Roma of Eastern Europe, and portraits, among others.
He also has several pen and ink drawings of African-American music artists, which were used in a publication on American blues. In total, John has had over 25 US and Europe exhibitions.
Some of his creations took him to Ireland for a two-year sabbatical, where he focused his art on non-figurative landscapes and had two exhibitions in Dublin. He also went to Poland, Bulgaria, and Eastern Europe for his craft.
Like his wife, John also taught art in North County, San Diego, for four decades. He was the mentor of artists who aspired to carve a career path in the same field.
Beyond his work, John supported his daughter's career and even displayed her modeling card in his high school classroom. The card had beautiful photos of Emily and her measurements.
As years passed, Emily's relationship with her parents became better. She is on good terms with both of them and often spends time with them should her schedule permit. Balgley and John are also grandparents to Emily's son, with whom they have quality time.
Emily Ratajkowski first announced her pregnancy through a Vogue magazine shoot, where she posted the digital cover of herself in an orange satin dress with a visible baby bump.
To some extent, Emily has followed in her parent's footsteps. She is also an author and published the book "My Body" in 2021, where she detailed her experiences growing up with a glorified perception of beauty.
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