Oliver Hudson recently opened up about why he and his sister Kate Hudson declined Kurt Russell’s offer to adopt them when they were younger. During a heartfelt conversation on the Sibling Revelry podcast, co-hosted by Oliver and Kate alongside Tish Cyrus-Purcell and Brandi Cyrus, the siblings reflected on their unconventional family dynamic.
Oliver began by addressing his relationship with his biological father, Bill Hudson, who was married to their mother, Goldie Hawn, from 1976 to 1982. “My dad — he was around for a little bit, then he bailed,” Oliver shared. “We have a good relationship now, but it took a long, long, long, long time, but we’re there.”
Kurt Russell, who has been in a long-term relationship with Goldie Hawn since 1983, stepped into a paternal role for Oliver and Kate when they were young. “Kurt came into my life when I was six, five or six, and essentially he raised me. I’m the man I am today because of him, right?” Oliver said.
He then revealed a pivotal moment when Russell offered to adopt them. “There was a moment when he asked us, myself and Kate if we wanted to be adopted, and we said no,” Oliver recalled. He noted their young ages at the time, explaining, “We were six and 12 or however—I don’t remember the age—but we just said, ‘Well, we don’t need it. The love is right there.’”
Oliver acknowledged the complexities of their family dynamic, particularly with an absent biological parent. “When you don’t have your biological [parent] around, it’s hard to replace that, no matter what,” he admitted. “The love was there with Kurt, there’s no doubt that he is my dad. I call him Pa. But there was always — not something missing, but there’s that other side.”
Despite their decision, Oliver emphasized the profound bond he shares with Russell, who has been a steadfast father figure for decades. Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson share two children, Oliver and Kate, from their six-year marriage. Since 1983, Hawn and Russell have maintained a committed partnership without marrying, exemplifying their unique approach to family and love.