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Celebrities dropping their children off at college© Instagram

Joanna Gaines, Cole Hauser, Michael Strahan, and more stars sending their kids off to college – see emotional photos

Let the tears roll!

Ahad Sanwari
Ahad Sanwari - New York
Senior WriterNew York
Updated: August 29, 2023
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It's college time, folks, and all around the country, parents are being left devastated as their newly-minted adult children leave the family home to begin an all new adventure.

Of course, our favorite celebrities are no different, with many of them seeing off their 2023 graduates to college this Fall, and the emotional tribute photos, the tear-filled drop-offs, and the sweet farewell parties have begun.

Here are some of the many stars whose kids are heading off to college this Fall, and their journeys captured in photos…

Michael Strahan dropping his daughter Sophia off at college© Instagram
Michael dropping his daughter Sophia off at college

Michael Strahan

Good Morning America anchor Michael Strahan is just one of three ABC News stars (we'll get to the other two in just a bit) who is becoming an empty nester this year.

The 51-year-old TV personality's twin daughters, Isabella and Sophia, are each moving to very different parts of the country for school, with Sophia heading off to Duke University in North Carolina and Isabella to the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

Michael shared photos from his drop-off for Sophia, sweetly writing: "Dropped off the youngest of the tribe @sophialstrahan at college! Can't believe how time has flown by and I'm so proud of her. I know she's going to crush college life!! #DukeDad."

George Stephanopoulos and Ali Wentworth captured in a tender moment after dropping daughter Harper off at college© Instagram
George and Ali captured in a tender moment after dropping daughter Harper off at college

George Stephanopoulos

GMA's George Stephanopoulos and wife Ali Wentworth also became empty nesters when their youngest daughter, Harper, headed off to Vanderbilt University last week.

While George, 62, advised her to "go with the flow. Be engaged. Be curious," Ali, 58, shared a much more emotional take on life without their daughters (they're also parents to Elliott, a junior at Brown University).

MORE: George Stephanopoulos and Ali Wentworth embrace in new photo as they 'deal with the pain'

"We dropped our baby off at college. Everyone is saying 'she’s ready to launch'! But… I don't think I'm ready!" Ali wrote. "I know our daughter will thrive. But man, it's brutal on the parents."

Joanna and Chip Gaines' sons Crew and Drake seen at the latter's high school graduation© Instagram
Joanna and Chip's sons Crew and Drake seen at the latter's high school graduation

Joanna and Chip Gaines

Magnolia Network co-founders Joanna and Chip Gaines, on the other hand, are bidding adieu to their firstborn, as eldest son Drake, 18, leaves for college soon.

While Joanna, 45, hasn't revealed where Drake is going to school, she did share pictures from his high school graduation back in May, and reflected on his departure in an earlier essay for Magnolia Journal.

MORE: Joanna Gaines and husband Chip's exciting new announcement will take them far away from family home

"In the grand scheme of heartbreaking things, this one comes with a lot of gratitude and excitement," she penned. "But still, my first child is moving away, and our family dynamic will change because of it, and that can feel like a loss of its own."

Lara Spencer and daughter Katharine en route to college© Instagram
Lara and daughter Katharine en route to college

Lara Spencer

The third GMA star to become an empty nester this year is Lara Spencer, who also saw her daughter Katharine Haffenreffer off last week at Vanderbilt, like George and Harper.

Lara, 54, is also mom to son Duff, who will start sophomore year at Southern Methodist University this Fall, and she's shared a few photos from move-in day with Kat.

MORE: Lara Spencer stuns in tiny shorts as she's consoled at home in bittersweet photo

"Today is the start of a new chapter in your life. Write your story, baby," she sweetly wrote alongside a picture with her lookalike new adult daughter.

Cole and Cynthia Hauser dropping their son Ryland off at college© Instagram
Cole and Cynthia dropping their son Ryland off at college

Cole Hauser

Yellowstone's Cole Hauser and wife Cynthia are also sending the first of their three kids off to college, having just dropped off eldest son Ryland at Texas Christian University.

Cole, 48, and Cynthia shared photos from the bittersweet day, with Cynthia writing alongside hers: "And just like that my baby boy is starting his life. Dad and I are so proud of you Ryland!! 

MORE: Yellowstone star Cole Hauser and wife Cynthia mark special occasion with lookalike son Ryland

"We know you'll touch so many lives! Thank you for being open to learning from us, sharing your enormous heart, and making Steely and Colt feel so special. We'll miss you very much honey."

Alex Rodriguez dropping daughter Natasha off at college© Instagram
Alex dropping his daughter Natasha off at college

Alex Rodriguez

Sporting legend Alex Rodriguez just dropped the older of his two daughters, Natasha, off at the University of Michigan on Sunday, sharing brand new photos from their final moments together.

"Left my heart in Michigan," the 48-year-old wrote. "Dropping off @thenatasharodriguez at college was one of the hardest, but most proud moments of being a father. Can't wait to watch her take on this big new chapter."

MORE: Alex Rodriguez broke down in tears as he read emotional letter to eldest daughter for special reason

Alex was just as emotional celebrating his daughter's graduation from high school earlier this year, although he still has his other daughter with ex-wife Cynthia, Ella, at home to dote on.

Courteney Cox and David Arquette's daughter Coco seen in a photo with step-mom Christina Arquette ahead of departure for college© Instagram
Courteney and David's daughter Coco with step-mom Christina Arquette ahead of her departure for college

Courteney Cox

Courteney Cox and ex-husband David Arquette's daughter Coco is all grown up! The Friends star's 19-year-old is heading off to college too, which her dad David shared alongside a sweet photo with her step-mom Christina Arquette.

"We are so proud of you @cocoarquette_that you're going to college!!! We LOVE You!!!!" he sweetly wrote alongside a photo of hers. Courteney, 59, and David, 51, tied the knot in 1999, during the height of her Friends fame and welcomed Coco in 2004, with her godmother being none other than Jennifer Aniston.

MORE: Courteney Cox posts rare throwback photos of daughter Coco in birthday tribute

They divorced in 2013, and David married Entertainment Tonight correspondent Christina McLarty in 2013, with whom he has welcomed two sons. Courteney began dating musician Johnny McDaid in 2013. They announced their engagement in 2014, but called it off soon after. However, they've still remained a couple and are going strong.

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