Sean Duffy and Rachel Campos-Duffy Welcome Their Ninth Child, Valentina StellaMaris Duffy
On Tuesday, former U.S. Congressman Sean Duffy and his wife, television personality Rachel Campos-Duffy, announced the birth of their ninth child, a baby girl named Valentina StellaMaris Duffy. The couple revealed that Valentina was born on October 1, a month before her due date.
Rachel Campos-Duffy shared the joyous news on Instagram, posting a heartwarming photo of Valentina swaddled in blankets, with a nasal tube indicating she is receiving medical care. In a Facebook post, Rachel provided further details about their daughter’s health, revealing that Valentina was born with a heart defect and Down Syndrome.
A Special Addition to the Duffy Family
“Meet Valentina StellaMaris Duffy. She is the sweetest, most perfect thing we have ever seen. It’s a wonderful life!” Rachel wrote, expressing the immense love and gratitude the family feels for their newest member. She went on to explain that Valentina has two holes in her heart and valves that require surgical intervention, which will take place in three to four months. Despite these challenges, Rachel emphasized her daughter’s beauty and strength, writing, “That extra chromosome certainly made her EXTRA cute. Life is wonderful!!”
Valentina remains in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as she grows stronger and learns to eat on her own. Rachel, who had her first C-section, shared her recovery journey, expressing admiration for mothers who have undergone the same procedure. She also mentioned her dedication to breastfeeding and using a breast pump to ensure Valentina receives the nutrition she needs.
A Family United in Love and Support
The Duffys’ other eight children—Evita Pilar, Xavier Jack, Lucia-Belen, John-Paul, Paloma Pilar, MariaVictoria Margarita, Margarita Pilar, and Patrick Miguel—are overjoyed by their sister’s arrival. According to Rachel, their visits to the hospital are filled with love as the siblings eagerly take turns holding Valentina.
Sean Duffy made headlines earlier this year when he resigned from his position as Wisconsin’s 7th District Representative. His decision was prompted by news of Valentina’s medical challenges, as he chose to prioritize his family over his political career.
“Recently, we’ve learned that our baby, due in late October, will need even more love, time, and attention due to complications, including a heart condition,” Duffy explained in his resignation statement. “With much prayer, I have decided that this is the right time for me to take a break from public service in order to be the support my wife, baby, and family need right now. It is not an easy decision – because I truly love being your Congressman – but it is the right decision for my family, which is my first love and responsibility.”
A Love Story That Started on Reality TV
Sean Duffy and Rachel Campos-Duffy first met in 1999 while working on MTV’s “Road Rules: All Stars.” Both had previously appeared on separate seasons of “The Real World”—Duffy on “The Real World: Boston” and Campos-Duffy on “The Real World: San Francisco.” Their connection grew into a lasting marriage, which has since blossomed into a large and loving family.
Duffy, a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, transitioned from television to politics, serving in Congress before stepping down to focus on his growing family. Throughout his career, he received strong support from Trump and fellow Republicans.
A Bright Future for Valentina
While Valentina faces medical challenges ahead, the Duffy family remains optimistic and grateful for the support they have received. Rachel extended her thanks to everyone who prayed for their daughter, emphasizing their faith and hope for Valentina’s future.
As the Duffys navigate this new chapter, their love and devotion to each other remain evident. Valentina StellaMaris Duffy’s arrival is a reminder of the beauty of family and the strength found in unconditional love.
Sean Duffy and Rachel Campos Duffy revealed on Tuesday that they have welcomed their ninth child, a baby girl.
The baby is called Valentina StellaMaris Duffy and she was born on October 1.
On Tuesday, her mother shared a photograph of her on Instagram in which she appears swaddled in blankets with a tube inserted in her nose.
She also announced in a separate Facebook post how the baby was born with a heart defect and Down Syndrome.
‘Meet Valentina StellaMaris Duffy. She is the sweetest, most perfect thing we have ever seen. It’s a wonderful life!’ Rachel wrote.
In a Facebook post, she added: ‘She was born last week, one month before her due date. She is doing great, though still in the NICU until she learns to eat on her own.
‘I’m home now, trying to recover from my first C-section (hats off to all the c-section moms out there – I had no idea!) and working hard with my breast pump to keep up with her growing appetite.
Rachel Campos-Duffy shared this photo of her newborn daughter, Valentina, on Tuesday. The baby was born on October 1 , a month early, in Wisconsin. She has two holes in her heart and also has Down Syndrome
Rachel Campos-Duffy with Valentina and some of her other eight children. Valentina will remainin the hospital for the next few weeks
‘When we visit with her at the hospital, the kids fight over who can hold her – I don’t blame them! She’s the sweetest, most perfect angel we have ever seen,’ she said.
Campos-Duffy went on to explain the baby’s heart condition.
‘Valentina was born with a heart defect (2 holes in the heart and valves that need to be fixed). She will need surgery in 3-4 months.
‘As we suspected, Valentina was also born with an extra chromosome, which means she also has Downs Syndrome.
‘That extra chromosome certainly made her EXTRA cute. Life is wonderful!!’
Campos-Duffy then thanked ‘everyone who prayed’ for the infant.
Before her birth, her father announced he was resigning from his seat in Wisconsin in order to spend more time with his family.
The couple both appeared on MTV’s The Real World and married in 1999. Sean had a busy TV career before launching himself into politics.
He was serving as the Wisconsin’s 7th district representative until September, when the pair learned ahead of Valentina’s birth that she would be born with a hole in her heart.
Duffy was serving in Wisconsin’s 7th District but he gave him his position earlier this year
The couple already have eight other children; Evita Pilar, Xavier Jack, Lucia-Belen, John-Paul, Paloma Pilar, MariaVictoria Margarita, Margarita Pilar, and Patrick Miguel
It prompted his resignation.
‘Recently, we’ve learned that our baby, due in late October, will need even more love, time, and attention due to complications, including a heart condition.
‘With much prayer, I have decided that this is the right time for me to take a break from public service in order to be the support my wife, baby and family need right now. It is not an easy decision – because I truly love being your Congressman – but it is the right decision for my family, which is my first love and responsibility,’ he said.
He was supported by President Trump – whose 2016 presidential campaign he enthusiastically backed – and a handful of other Republicans.
Duffy met his future wife on the set of MTV’s ‘Road Rules: All Stars’ in 1999.
The two had appeared separately on Real World programs for the music network. Duffy was on The Real World: Boston and Campos-Duffy was on The Real World: San Francisco.
Duffy is an enthusiastic Trump supporter. They are pictured together in January
Duffy and Campos met on The Real World in 1998, before he launched his political career
