Discover everything about Declan Welles — Brooke Burns and Gavin O’Connor’s daughter. Learn about her age, birthday, parents, siblings, family life, and growing up in Hollywood. Full bio with quick facts table.
Hollywood is home to countless stories of fame, talent, and family — and some of the most captivating stories involve the children born into this dazzling world. Declan Welles is one such child. The daughter of actress and television personality Brooke Burns and acclaimed filmmaker Gavin O’Connor, Declan may still be in her early years, but she has already captured the hearts of fans who follow her parents’ careers.
From the moment Brooke announced her birth on social media, Declan became a beloved figure in the lives of her parents’ admirers — a bright, photogenic little girl raised with love, warmth, and a healthy distance from the Hollywood spotlight.
Declan Welles – Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Declan Welles O’Connor |
| Date of Birth | January 22, 2017 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 9 years old |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian (Irish, English, Scottish descent) |
| Mother | Brooke Burns (actress, model, TV host) |
| Father | Gavin O’Connor (filmmaker, director, producer) |
| Maternal Grandparents | Brad Burns & Betsy Burns |
| Half-Sister (Mother’s side) | Madison Elizabeth McMahon (b. June 10, 2000) |
| Step-Sister (Father’s side) | Bronwen O’Connor |
| Parents’ Wedding Date | June 13, 2013 |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Social Media | None (too young; featured on parents’ accounts) |
| Mother’s Net Worth | Approx. $5 million (est.) |
Who Is Declan Welles?
Declan Welles O’Connor is a celebrity child best known as the daughter of Brooke Burns and Gavin O’Connor. She was born on January 22, 2017, at 4:22 in the morning, in Los Angeles, California. Her birth was a joyous occasion for the Burns-O’Connor household, and Brooke was quick to share the news with her fans via Twitter, linking to an Instagram post to announce their newest family member.
From the very beginning, Declan was described by those around her as a lively, fun-loving baby with an irresistible personality. As she has grown older, she has proven to be just as photogenic and spirited as her mother, with her blonde hair and bright features making her a natural in front of the camera.
Despite being born into one of Hollywood’s well-connected families, Declan’s upbringing has been intentionally grounded. Both Brooke and Gavin have been vocal about their desire to shield their daughter from the overwhelming scrutiny that often comes with celebrity life, choosing instead to prioritize a normal, nurturing childhood for her.
Declan Welles Age and Birthday
As of 2026, Declan Welles is 9 years old. She celebrates her birthday every year on January 22, which makes her a proud Aquarius — a zodiac sign traditionally associated with creativity, independence, and a free-spirited nature. She was born in the early morning hours of that January day in 2017, and her mother Brooke made sure her fans were among the first to know about it.
Over the years, Brooke has been known to document Declan’s milestones on social media — from her earliest weeks of life to her first day of school and beyond. Fans who follow the family have watched Declan grow from an adorable infant into a curious, energetic young girl who clearly enjoys spending time with her parents and siblings.
“So this happened last weekend” — Brooke Burns’ caption when she first introduced Declan Welles to the world on Instagram.
Declan Welles Parents: Brooke Burns and Gavin O’Connor
Declan is lucky to have two accomplished and deeply caring parents. Her mother, Brooke Burns, was born on March 16, 1978, in Dallas, Texas. Brooke spent her formative years as a ballet dancer before a skiing accident that damaged her ACL forced her to change paths. She transitioned into modeling at just 15 years old and later moved with her family to Europe, where she lived in Germany, Italy, and France.
Her acting career began in 1995 with a role in the teen sitcom Out of the Blue, and she went on to gain widespread recognition through the iconic drama series Baywatch, where she played Jessie Owens from 1998 to 2001. She has since become a celebrated television host, known for shows like Dog Eat Dog, Hole in the Wall, and The Chase — the latter earning her a Daytime Emmy Award nomination.
Declan’s father, Gavin O’Connor, was born on December 24, 1963, and is a highly respected filmmaker in the American movie industry. Active since 1992, he is best known for directing powerful films including Miracle (2004), Warrior (2011), and The Accountant (2016). His ability to craft emotionally charged, character-driven stories has earned him significant acclaim in Hollywood. Beyond directing, he has worked as a producer, screenwriter, and playwright — a creative force whose influence spans multiple facets of the entertainment world.
Declan Welles and Gavin O’Connor: A Father-Daughter Bond
Brooke Burns and Gavin O’Connor first became publicly known as a couple in September 2011, when they appeared together on the red carpet at the premiere of Gavin’s film Warrior. Brooke confirmed their engagement in December 2011 during an appearance on Good Day LA, flashing her diamond ring to the camera with a beaming smile. The couple married on June 13, 2013, in an intimate ceremony attended only by close family and friends. Their relationship, built on shared values and mutual respect, has been a steady and loving foundation for Declan’s upbringing.
When Brooke discovered she was pregnant with Declan, she found a particularly creative way to tell Gavin. She reportedly left a note in the bathroom for him to discover, though he famously missed it on his first two visits before finally seeing it on the third attempt. His reaction, captured by Brooke on film, was one of pure joy — a touching moment that reflects the warmth and playfulness at the heart of their relationship.
As a father, Gavin is deeply involved in Declan’s life. Photos shared by Brooke on social media frequently show the two together — whether it’s a living room dance party or dressing up for Halloween. Declan is, by all accounts, very much a daddy’s girl, and their bond is one of the most wholesome aspects of the family’s public presence.
Declan Welles as Brooke Burns’ Daughter
Brooke Burns is a mother of two biological daughters — her eldest, Madison Elizabeth McMahon, and her youngest, Declan Welles O’Connor. Brooke has spoken openly and warmly about both of her girls, often referring to them on social media as her “number 1” and “number 2.” The pride and adoration she has for Declan is evident in every post, every milestone celebrated, and every candid family snapshot shared with her followers.
Declan is widely described as the spitting image of both her parents — she has inherited Brooke’s natural blonde hair and bright, expressive features, along with what appears to be Gavin’s easy confidence and charm. Brooke documented her daughter’s growth week by week in the early years of Declan’s life, giving fans an intimate look at the joy of watching a child discover the world. Despite Brooke’s platform and following, she has been careful and intentional about what she shares, always keeping her daughter’s privacy as a guiding priority.
Declan Welles Siblings: A Close-Knit Blended Family
Declan Welles grows up in a blended family filled with love and connection. She has two half-sisters — one from each parent’s previous relationship — and the bonds they share speak volumes about the family’s commitment to unity.
Madison Elizabeth McMahon is Declan’s older half-sister on her mother’s side. Born on June 10, 2000, Madison is the daughter of Brooke Burns and her first husband, Australian-American actor Julian McMahon — best known for his roles in Nip/Tuck and the Fantastic Four franchise, and notably the son of former Australian Prime Minister Sir William McMahon.
Madison is approximately 17 years older than Declan, giving their relationship a nurturing, almost mentor-like quality. Madison attended Marymount High School in New York, where she developed a passion for volleyball, going on to play competitively at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. She has identified herself as a digital artist, writer, and film enthusiast — a creative spirit not unlike her parents.
Bronwen O’Connor is Declan’s half-sister on her father’s side. Born in the early 2000s to Gavin O’Connor and his first wife Angela Shelton, Bronwen has pursued an acting career of her own, appearing in some of her father’s projects including Warrior, The Way Back, and Mare of Easttown. The identity of Bronwen’s mother has remained private, but Bronwen’s presence in the family is warmly acknowledged, with Brooke often sharing photos of all three girls together and affectionately referring to them collectively as her daughters.
Brooke Burns has noted in interviews and on social media that it was actually the daughters — Madison from her side and Gavin’s daughter from his — who played a meaningful role during her and Gavin’s courtship. The two girls, close in age at the time, declared themselves sisters before their parents had even walked down the aisle, a detail that perfectly captures the spirit of this blended family.
Declan Welles’ Private Life: Raised Away from the Spotlight
One of the most defining aspects of Declan Welles’ story is the conscious choice her parents have made to raise her away from the full glare of Hollywood. In an era when celebrity culture often puts children on display from the moment they are born, Brooke and Gavin have taken a thoughtful, measured approach. While Declan does appear on her mother’s social media accounts, those appearances are carefully curated — joyful, age-appropriate, and always on the family’s terms.
Declan has no social media presence of her own, which is entirely appropriate given her age and her parents’ values around privacy. She is currently in school, with Brooke having shared her excitement on social media when Declan began kindergarten — a milestone that felt both ordinary and extraordinary at the same time. Her day-to-day life is filled with the kinds of experiences that any child would cherish: family outings, playdates, school activities, vacations to beautiful destinations, and quality time at home with her parents and sisters.
Brooke has also been open about her own life challenges, including a serious spinal injury sustained in a car accident in 2014 that could have left her paralyzed. That experience deepened her commitment to the Life Rolls On Foundation and her appreciation for every precious moment with her family — including the years she has been able to spend watching Declan grow up healthy and happy.
Declan Welles as a Hollywood Celebrity Child
Being born into Hollywood royalty comes with unique advantages and unique challenges. Declan Welles has access to a world that most children can only imagine — red carpet events, connections to major film sets, and parents with deep roots in the entertainment industry. She has reportedly already been introduced to various celebrities at a young age, simply by virtue of being part of the Burns-O’Connor family circle.
Yet despite all of that, the picture that emerges of Declan’s childhood is one that is refreshingly normal. Her parents have been deliberate in ensuring that fame does not overshadow the fundamentals of a happy childhood — love, security, stability, and freedom to simply be a kid. Whether Declan will one day follow her parents into Hollywood is entirely open-ended. Brooke and Gavin have expressed that they want her to forge her own path, whatever that may look like.
For now, Declan Welles is simply a bright-eyed nine-year-old growing up in Los Angeles with a family that clearly adores her — and that is more than enough of a story to captivate the hearts of anyone paying attention.
Final Thoughts on Declan Welles
Declan Welles O’Connor may be young, but her story is already a compelling one. Born to two gifted, successful, and deeply loving parents, she is growing up in a blended family that models unity, warmth, and resilience. With a half-sister who plays volleyball at university level, another who is carving out her own acting career, and parents who have both made lasting marks on Hollywood — Declan’s world is rich with inspiration and possibility.
Most importantly, she is growing up in a home where she is clearly cherished. Whether fans discover her through Brooke’s Instagram, a family feature in a magazine, or simply by searching for the children of their favorite celebrities, they are met with the same image: a happy, healthy little girl at the center of a family that has gotten the important things right.
Declan Welles is, above all else, a reminder that behind the glamour and the cameras, the truest celebrity stories are often the simplest — a parent and a child, sharing a dance party in the living room, or dressing up together for Halloween. That is the Declan Welles story, and it is a lovely one.
