Buddy Valastro's 4 Kids: All About Sofia, Buddy Jr., Marco and Carlo

Buddy Valastro is not only a cake chef, he is also the father of four children: Sofia, Buddy Jr., Marco and Carl.

Star of TLC The cake chef and his wife Lisa, whom he married in 2001, started a family in 2003 with the birth of their daughter Sofia. A year later, Buddy Jr. appeared, and the couple had Marco in 2007. The youngest in the family, Carlo, was born in 2011.

Buddy shared pride in his children for years.

“I have a lot of achievements. I’m not bragging, but I’ve done a lot of good things, but my biggest achievement is my kids and my family,” the baker told Life of Dad in 2016.

Buddy, who started working at Carlo’s Bakery when he was 11, said his children want to follow in his footsteps. “They all really want to get into the family business. I do too. I’m really excited to see how the next generation takes over,” he told PEOPLE in 2022. “But I never want to force them. I want them to do it because they love it. ”

As the first step in their TV careers, Sofia, Buddy Jr., Marco and Carlo were featured on their father’s hit show, Buddy Valastro’s Cake Dynastywhich premiered in November 2023.

Here’s everything you need to know about Buddy Valastro’s children: Sofia, Buddy Jr., Marco and Carlo.

Sofia Valastro, 21

Buddy Valastro and daughter Sofia.

Buddy Valastro/Instagram

Buddy and Lisa had their first child and only daughter, Sofia, on April 23, 2003.

“The best moment was when my daughter was born,” Buddy told Life of Dad, recalling how he cried “like a baby” on that special day. “I thought about her whole life and what I wanted for her,” he admitted. “I just wanted to be there for her.”

Buddy spoke again about his emotions when Sofia was born during his speech at her sweet 16 party in 2019. The birthday girl wore a beaded princess dress and designed her own cake to celebrate.

“No matter how big she gets, she’ll always be my little girl,” Buddy wrote on Instagram at the time.

Sofia graduated high school in 2021, and Buddy revealed that his daughter had committed to the University of Delaware.

It was there that Sofia met her boyfriend, Anthony Machion, in an economics class, and he’s earned Buddy’s seal of approval ever since. Although the celebrity chef is protective of Sofia, he told PEOPLE in 2023 that his daughter “isn’t hot.”

“I couldn’t be more proud of my daughter,” Buddy said. “I don’t worry too much about her. She is a strong, independent, wonderful young woman.”

Buddy Jr. Valastro, 20

Buddy Valastro and son Buddy Jr.

Buddy Valastro/Instagram

Buddy and Lisa welcomed his namesake, Buddy Jr., on September 27, 2004. Buddy Jr. was a chef. called his “clone” and “mini-me” on Instagram.

On his 18th birthday in 2022, the cake boss praised Buddy Jr. on Instagram for the “confident, strong and caring young man” he’s grown to be.

Besides knowing how to make pizza and decorate a cake, Buddy Jr. is also athletically built. According to the Morristown Beard School, he played football, soccer, ice hockey and lacrosse.

In February 2023, Buddy posted a photo on Instagram of his son dressed in hockey gear. With the picture he wrote: “Hockey players have fire in their hearts and ice in their veins, we are proud of you and we love you @buddyvalastrojr_.”

When Buddy Jr. was his senior year, his father revealed to PEOPLE that he was “struggling with the decision” of whether or not to go to college. At the time, Buddy said, “He just wants to get into the business, which I’ve been doing all the time.”

Buddy Jr. he graduated from high school in June 2023. The TLC star celebrated the milestone on Instagram, writing, “Your hard work and determination has paid off and we couldn’t be more proud. As you take this important step forward, remember to follow your dreams fearlessly and embrace every opportunity that comes your way.”

He continued: “Know that we are always here to support and guide you. The future holds great things for you and I can’t wait to see what you achieve.”

Buddy revealed on Instagram in November 2023 that his oldest son was attending Syracuse University.

Marco Valastro, 17

Buddy Valastro and son Marco.

Buddy Valastro/Instagram

Buddy and Lisa’s family grew again on February 26, 2007, with the birth of their “blue-eyed boy,” Marc.

Like his older brother, Marco is athletically built and plays soccer and lacrosse. But sport is not his only hobby.

While his father is the cake boss, Marco seems to be the steak boss at home. In 2020, Buddy shared a video of his second son preparing his “famous filet mignon” with red wine sauce.

“Hi, I’m Marco Valastro and I like to cook steak,” he said into the camera. At the end of the clip, Buddy said, “I gotta tell you, this guy is pretty good.”

The celebrity chef also told PEOPLE in 2022 that Marco “definitely got the gift of the gab.”

The Cake chef: stories and recipes of Mija Familje the author celebrated Marc’s 17th birthday in 2024. “Watching you grow into the amazing man you are today has been the greatest joy,” the caring dad wrote on Instagram. “Proud to say the least. We love you a lot!”

Carlo Salvatore Valastro, 13

Buddy Valastro and sons Marco and Carlo.

Buddy Valastro/Instagram

Buddy became a dad for the fourth time on February 14, 2011, when he and Lisa welcomed Carl Salvatore.

“We feel so blessed to welcome a new healthy baby into our family,” the baker told PEOPLE after his son’s arrival.

The couple named their youngest child after Carl Guastaffer, from whom Buddy’s father bought the bakery, and Sal Picinich, who worked there for more than four decades and whom Buddy considered a second father.

During the episode What’s up Cuz podcast in 2023, Carlo revealed that he would like to own a restaurant when he is older. In the podcast, his mom praised his cooking skills, saying that he, like his older brother, “makes a really good steak.”

Although he dreams of one day owning an authentic Italian restaurant, Carlo takes the time to learn more about his family’s business. In 2023, Buddy took to Facebook to share a photo of himself helping Carl put together a cake, with the caption: “Teaching my son Carl what it takes to be a #cakeboss.”

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Source: HIS Education