Harrison Ford, 80, Reflects on Why He Could “Probably Be a Better Parent”

At 80 years old, Hollywood icon Harrison Ford reflects on his ability to be a better parent. After a difficult divorce, he found his soulmate, Calista, and they spent nearly two decades together. Now, Ford contemplates the responsibility of being a parent and wonders if he could have been more prepared to raise his children.

Harrison crossed paths with his loved one right after his divorce.

Harrison Ford’s divorce from Melissa Mathison was a notable moment of change in the actor’s personal life. After sharing 18 years of marriage, the couple made the difficult decision to go their separate ways in 2001. This brought about a challenging period of adjustment for both of them.

The media was highly interested in Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison’s divorce, as the public was intrigued by the end of their long-term celebrity relationship. With two children, Malcolm and Georgia, the couple’s choice to separate undoubtedly significantly affected their family dynamics.

Although the reasons for their divorce remain private, the public’s curiosity led to speculation and rumors in various tabloids. Harrison Ford faced unwarranted scrutiny, as reports suggested romantic involvements with other famous individuals. He expressed the impact on his children, stating, “It was very hurtful to my kids. It was hurtful to a lot of people because 90 percent of it was wrong.”

In 2002, Harrison Ford had a serendipitous encounter at the Golden Globes that would greatly impact his life. During a period when he was feeling lonely and longing for a meaningful love story, fate brought him across paths with Calista Flockhart. “There have been times in my life when I have felt I was lonely, but I don’t think you want to live your life in order to mitigate against loneliness,” he said.

When Harrison Ford crossed paths with Calista Flockhart, there was an undeniable and instant connection between them, despite the significant 22-year age difference. Ford had been an admirer of Flockhart’s remarkable portrayal of Ally McBeal in the popular TV series, while she fondly remembered Ford’s captivating performance in the film Mosquito Coast. This shared admiration for each other’s work added an extra layer of intrigue to their encounter.

She was a young single mom

When they first met, Calista Flockhart had recently become a mom to her one-year-old adopted son, Liam. “She’s brought a child back into my home,” Ford stated. “My youngest, other than Liam, is 17. It’s a wonderful opportunity to be part of a child’s growing up, which is always an endless springtime. You see the blossoming and the growing and the nurturing and the payoff.”

Harrison Ford expressed sincere gratitude for the sacrifices Calista Flockhart had made and the love she had dedicated to their son’s life. He stated, “She’s a mother by choice—she adopted Liam before we met, as a single parent, which is an awesome responsibility to take. She’s devoted herself to Liam and has done a really wonderful job raising him. I’m happy to now have a part of the job.”

Harrison Ford, who had never envisioned becoming a parent again in his 60s, viewed it as an unexpected and precious gift. He wholeheartedly dedicated himself to raising the child, offering the same love and commitment he had given to his own children. However, Ford acknowledged that as time went on, his perspective on parenting naturally evolved, and as he puts it, “I’m a little bit more mature.”

Although his love life seems perfect, Harrison admits he isn’t the best parent.

When Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart got married in 2010, Ford adopted Flockhart’s son, Liam, who is now 22 years old. In addition to Liam, Ford has children from his previous relationships. He shares sons Benjamin, aged 55, and Willard, aged 54, with his ex-wife Mary Marquardt. He also has a son named Malcolm, aged 35, and a daughter named Georgia, aged 32, with the late screenwriter Melissa Mathison.

In an interview with Esquire, published in a summer 2023 cover story, the 80-year-old Indiana Jones star candidly admitted that he might have been a better parent if he had a less successful career. Ford explained that being a constant presence in his children’s lives is crucial for effective parenting, saying, “Certainly the more constant gardener is the better parent.”

Reflecting on his own life, he acknowledged that he has often been away from home and focused on his career, sometimes to the detriment of his parental responsibilities.

Even with the difficulties and limited time caused by his Hollywood career, Harrison Ford has proven to be a dedicated and caring parent. Despite acknowledging that he is often away due to work, he wholeheartedly takes on the role of a loving parent to his children.