All About Michael Strahan's Twins, Isabella and Sophia Strahan

Michael Strahan became the father of four children when he had his twin daughters Isabella and Sophia (19) in 2004.

The former New York Giants defensive end had Isabella and Sophia with his ex-wife, Jean Muggli, after welcoming his older children, Tanita and Michael Jr., with his first wife, Wanda Hutchins. The twins grew up to make their father proud, graduating high school in 2023 and heading off to college at different schools later that year.

“I can’t wait for them to go [college]but it’s actually a bittersweet thing,” he told Yahoo in December 2022. “The bitter part is, of course, I’m going to miss my kids when they’re gone. But the sweetest thing is that they have a chance to grow and become adults.”

Michael Strahan’s Four Children: All About Tanita, Michael Jr., Isabella and Sophia

Sophia started at Duke University, while Isabella began her college career at the University of Southern California. However, two months into her first year, Isabella was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a form of cancer that originates in the cerebellum, which is located at the base of the skull and is responsible for coordination. Doctors found a tumor the size of a golf ball, forcing Isabella to undergo emergency surgery.

“I know she’s going through it, but I know we’re never given more than we can handle and she’s going to break through this,” Michael said while appearing alongside Isabella in a special segment for Good morning America in January 2024.

From their childhood highlights (including an interview with Michelle Obama!) to how they support each other through tough times, here’s everything you need to know about Michael Strahan’s twin daughters, Isabella and Sophia Strahan.

They were born in 2004

Michael Strahan and daughters Isabella Strahan and Sophia Strahan attended the 2018 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards on July 19, 2018 in Santa Monica, California.

Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic

Isabella and Sophia arrived on October 28, 2004 and grew up splitting their time between their mom’s farm in North Carolina and her home in North Dakota. Michael and Muggli divorced when the twins were babies, but that didn’t stop them from having a close relationship with both parents.

“It wasn’t like, ‘Okay, we broke up, now I’m going to write a check and send it to your mom every month, and your dad will see you downstairs,’” Michael told PEOPLE in a 2016 cover story. “I don’t work like that. Divorce is probably one of the hardest things I’ve been through, but I’ve learned a lot about myself.”

“When you’re a single father with four-month-olds and you have to be with them all the time, it taught me that you have nothing to fear,” he added. “I can do that. I look back on it as one of the most fulfilling periods of my life. I also look at my children now and it makes me happy because I know that it has paid off in my relationship with them. ”

During the school year, Michael said he would fly to see them, and during the holidays, they would come to his place in New York City.

They interviewed Michelle Obama when they were 10 years old

Michael Strahan, Sophia Strahan and Isabella Strahan.

Sophia Strahan Instagram

When the twins were just 10 years old, they interviewed then-first lady Michelle Obama ahead of the children’s “state dinner” at the White House in July 2015. Sophia and Isabella flew out on behalf GMA sit down with Michelle and ask her questions about her youth healthy eating initiatives.

According to ABC, the girls also asked the first lady for a favor — to help convince their dad to let them have a dog.

“Dad, wherever you are, let them have a dog. They are so cute and cuddly,” Michelle replied to Michael. “And they will be responsible. And if I can do this interview, I can take care of the dog. Come on, Michael. Okay, I hope that helps.”

Former President Barack Obama appeared at the end of the dinner, and the twins had the opportunity to meet him and shake his hand.

Michael later addressed the moment with PEOPLE, admitting that his twins lead a “crazy” life.

“One time they flew to DC and interviewed the First Lady for GMA“, he said. “Then the next day their mom sent me a video of them riding horses and frolicking in a muddy cornfield.”

They are passionate fans of volleyball and horseback riding

Sophia and Isabella Strahan.

Sophia Strahan Instagram

While in high school, Isabella and Sophia played volleyball and horse riding and Michael often posted photos of his daughters’ successes on his Instagram.

The girls were avid equestrians after growing up on their mother’s farm in Wilmington, North Carolina.

“The house is 200 years old and still needs a lot of work, but when we moved here, what we focused on was making the barn magical,” Muggli told The Carolinas Equestrian 2019. “We made it a comfortable place to spend our time and enjoy our horses. Whenever we organize parties, they always take place in the stable.”

Isabella and Sophia trained at their barn and took home multiple blue ribbons at prestigious competitions along the East Coast.

Isabella is a model and studies at USC

Isabella Strahan.

Instagram Isabella Strahan

In April 2022, Isabella made her modeling debut when she walked the runway for the Sherri Hill fashion show. Her dad marked the special moment on Instagram, writing: “So proud of you @isabellastrahan for winning your first runway this weekend for @sherrihill!!!! As a parent, there is nothing better than watching your child succeed in what they love with a smile on their face!”

According to her Instagram, she is represented by Women 360 in NYC. In January 2024, Isabella celebrated her first major campaign with Sephora.

“So proud of my beautiful and amazing daughter, @isabellastrahan on her first major campaign. Proud of you 👏🏾🙌🏾 #GirlDad,” GMA wrote the presenter in the title of the post showing some of the recordings.

“THAT’S MY SISTER,” Sophia wrote in a comment on her dad’s post.

In addition to her modeling career, Isabella is also a student at the University of Southern California, which she enrolled in after graduating from Sacred Heart High School.

“✌️ From high school and on to USC!!! So proud of you @isabellastrahan!!!” Michael wrote on his Instagram when she graduated. “Intelligent, beautiful and hardworking!! I can’t wait to keep watching you shine!! love you! ❤️❤️.”

Sophia is a student at Duke University

Michael Strahan and his daughter Sophia Strahan.

Michael Strahan’s Instagram

Sophia graduated from Trinity College in New York in May 2023. After her ceremony, Michael posted a congratulatory message, announcing her plans to attend Duke.

“My little girl graduated!! I’m so proud of you!!” he wrote. “You are intelligent, beautiful, and I can’t wait to see all the amazing things you will accomplish at Duke. Congratulations Sophia!! i love you! ❤️❤️.”

In August 2023, both girls started their schools on opposite coasts.

Isabella was diagnosed with brain cancer during her freshman year of college

Michael Strahan, Sophia Strahan and Isabella Strahan.

Sophia Strahan Instagram

In January 2024, Isabella and Michael sat down for an interview with his colleague GMA co-host Robin Roberts where they revealed Isabella’s cancer diagnosis. The student discovered that what started as seemingly vertigo symptoms quickly turned serious.

“I didn’t notice anything was wrong until probably October 1,” she said. – Then I definitely noticed headaches, nausea, I couldn’t walk straight.

However, on October 25, just days before her 19th birthday, she woke up in the middle of the night coughing up blood – prompting her family to go to hospital.

Isabella was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles where doctors ran tests and discovered a tumor the size of a golf ball, prompting Michael to fly out and take a leave of absence from work for what ABC called a “personal family matter.”

Emergency surgery and several months of radiation and rehabilitation followed. Sophia and Michael were by her side during everything, also because the operation was performed the day before the twins’ birthdays. In January, Isabella said that she had finished radiation and was about to start chemotherapy.

“I had to ring the bell yesterday,” she said during it GMA interview. “It was great. It was very exciting because it was a long 30 sessions, six weeks.”

Over the months of her journey, Isabella documented her experience and planned to post a series of vlogs as she continued with her treatment plan on her YouTube. She said she will send all proceeds to benefit Duke Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, where she is being treated.

“It’s been two months of keeping it quiet, which is definitely hard. I don’t want to hide it anymore because it’s hard to always be secret,” she said on GMA. “I hope to be just a voice, and be [someone] who maybe [those who] going through chemotherapy or radiation can look.”

Sophia supported her sister in her cancer journey

Sophia and Isabella Strahan.

Sophia Strahan Instagram

After the broadcast GMA interview, Sophia posted a series of photos of herself with her sister since the diagnosis, including shots in a hospital bed.

Michael Strahan’s daughter Sophia praises ‘strong’ twin sister Isabella after her brain tumor diagnosis: ‘You inspire me’

“I’m so lucky to have the most amazing sister and best friend in the world,” she wrote in the caption. “The last few months have been much harder than we could have ever imagined, but I’ve realized how strong you are. You inspire me and I’m so proud of you. We forever 💞.”

In her vlog, Isabella showed photos of Sophia sitting by her bedside while spending time in hospital in October.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education