Mark Wahlberg, a father of four, took a unique approach to celebrating Father’s Day this year by giving all the credit to the moms, particularly his wife, Rhea Durham. Despite having four children—Ella, 20, Grace, 14, Michael, 18, and Brendan, 15—Wahlberg made it clear that the day was as much about honoring mothers as it was about fathers.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Wahlberg shared his plans for the holiday. “I’m gonna celebrate the memory of my dad,” he said. “I’m gonna salute all the other dads, and then we’re gonna go right back and give all the credit to all the moms, because we are not s–t without them.” He emphasized, “It’s all about the moms.”
Wahlberg’s sentiment was clear: while fathers get one day of recognition, every other day should be Mother’s Day. This perspective was shared during the launch of his new restaurant, Flecha, where he also spoke about his hopes for his children. “I just want them to figure out what it is they want to do and then pursue it with everything they have, to be passionate about it and put in the work,” he said. “The best thing I can do is be an example and show them how hard I’m willing to work to be successful and to make my dreams come true.”
Wahlberg’s dedication to hard work and perseverance is something he hopes to instill in his children. “If you work hard, you can achieve anything,” he said. “I remind individuals that the sky is the limit if they work hard, regardless of their background or challenges.”
Reflecting on his own upbringing, Wahlberg shared memories of his father, Donald Wahlberg Sr., who played a significant role in his life. Donald, a Korean War veteran, worked as a delivery driver, bringing lunches to schools. Wahlberg, the youngest of nine children, spent a lot of time with his father, especially after his parents divorced when he was around 10 or 11 years old.
Wahlberg’s admiration for his father was evident. “Even before I was in school, I was spending time with my dad,” he recalled. “I would go to work with him when he drove his truck and delivered to all the schools. Both my parents worked very hard to put food on the table, so we didn’t get the kind of time that I would have liked with him, especially when they got divorced.”
Despite the challenges, Wahlberg’s father left a lasting impression on him. “I remember sitting with him in the kitchen while he was listening to Al Jolson, having a Schlitz, smoking his Winstons,” he shared. “It was the first and only house he ever owned. And he bought it after winning a bet with a bookie.”
Wahlberg’s mother, Alma, who passed away in 2021, was also a significant influence in his life. “She was as tough as nails,” he told Fatherly just months after her passing. “If we did something wrong, we were going to pay the price for it, the consequences for it.”
Wahlberg’s parents’ hard work and dedication to their family have clearly shaped his own approach to parenting. “What made her most proud was us really kind of turning our lives around and becoming really productive people and the family-oriented people that we are,” he said. “She was most proud of the husband and the dad that I was.”
Wahlberg’s commitment to his family is evident in his approach to Father’s Day. By giving all the credit to the moms, he highlights the importance of their role in the family. “We get one day,” he said of fathers. “Every other day should be Mother’s Day.”
As Wahlberg continues to navigate his career and family life, his dedication to his children and his appreciation for the role of mothers remain at the forefront. His message is clear: while fathers play an important role, the contributions of mothers are invaluable and deserve recognition every day.
