Being able to make life and give birth is perhaps one of the biggest blessings that any man or woman could ever receive. However, being able to give someone a healthy, happy semblance of life by adopting is also a great privilege. Check out this list of famous adopted people that will surely surprise you.

#1. Rajesh Khanna

Rajesh Khanna or ‘Kaka’ delivered 15 consecutive solo hits in a short span of 3 years during the late 60s and early 70s. His unbroken streak of success is what won him the title of India’s original superstar. Films like ‘Amar Prem’, ‘Aap Ki Kasam’ & ‘Roti’ were not just loved by the public but were critically acclaimed as well.

To this day and age, Rajesh Khanna remains the nation’s heartthrob.  ‘Kaka’ was born as Jatin Khanna on the 29th of December, 1942 to parents Lala Hiranand Khanna & Chandrani Khanna.  He was later adopted by his childless uncle and aunt as Khanna’s biological mother had promised her sister-in-law that she could adopt baby Khanna. However, Khanna had remained quite tight-lipped about his adoption and told different versions of his story to different publication houses.

#2. Steve Jobs

A man that needs no introduction, Steve Jobs was the co-founder of Apple Computer, Inc. (now Apple Inc.) with his former high school friend Stephen Wozniak. A pioneer in the field of computing, Jobs was a man of varied interests. He studied physics, literature and poetry at Reed College, Portland, Oregon till he decided to drop out and worked for the Atari Corporation as a video game designer. Through his savings, he was able to make a trip to India to understand the faith of Buddhism.

Steve Jobs was shortly placed for adoption right after his birth by his biological parents Abdulfattah Jandali & Joanne Schieble as Joanne’s father forbid the growth of their interracial relationship. He was adopted by Paula and Clara Jobs who were having a very hard time conceiving. His biological parents eventually got married and gave birth to a daughter, Mona Simpson. Mona and Steve too eventually got in touch and shared a wonderful relationship with each other.

#3. Arpita Khan

Did you know that Salman Khan’s sister who recently became a mommy is an adopted child? Arpita holds a degree in fashion marketing and management. The story of how Arpita became a part of the Khan family is quite a heart-warming one.

Salim Khan (Salman Khan’s father) who has always been known as a man with a big heart had gone for a walk on a regular morning. On his walk, he noticed a woman and her daughter begging for money and alms. As Khan could not ignore the state of the begging duo, he started feeding them. A few days later, as Khan was out for his morning walk, he was shocked to see that the lady he had been helping had passed away and her daughter was left to fend for herself. Salim Khan could not bear to see the tears in the little girl’s eyes and hence, gently held her hand and took her home. The adoption processes started shortly after Arpita was brought home.

#4. Nelson Mandela

Former President of South Africa, a philanthropist & one of the greatest political leaders that ever lived, Nelson Mandela truly had a heart of gold. He was born as Rolihlahla Mandela  to Nonqaphi Nosekeni and Henry Mgadla Mandela in the Mvezo village of South Africa. Mandela or Madiba as he was more famous as, lost his father to tuberculosis at a very young age. When he was 9 years old, he was adopted by the then Thembu King, Jongintaba Dalindyebo.

Mandela studied law at the University of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand before working as lawyer in Johannesburg. It appears that he was quite the romantic at heart as he was vehement on carving his own love story. Mandela and his cousin, Justice, ran away from home in 1941 to avoid arranged marriages. However, he did marry Evelyn Mase, the love of his life in 1944.

#5. Bill Clinton

William Jefferson Blythe III or Bill Clinton served as the 42nd President of the United States of America. Clinton was born and raised in Arkansas. His father William Jefferson Blythe Jr. was a travelling salesman who met a tragic automobile accident months before Bill’s birth. His mother Virgina Dell Cassidy left him in the care of his grandparents as she went on to pursue her nursing course. His mother got married to Roger Clinton Sr. later on. When Bill turned 15, he formally adopted the Clinton surname.

Did you know that Clinton was a terrific saxophone player in high school or that he is left-handed? He was so moved by Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech that in his teenage years, he memorised the whole speech.

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