Why Queen Latifah Kept Her Son a Secret for Years – The Story Behind the Privacy

Queen Latifah has always been a private person when it comes to her personal life, but one aspect she has consistently shared is her deep love for her role as a mother. Her journey to parenthood has been filled with both joy and tragedy, and her openness about these experiences has allowed fans to connect with her on a deeply personal level.

Before welcoming her son, Latifah had already taken on the responsibilities of caregiving. She spent years caring for her mother, Rita Owens, who was diagnosed with a heart condition in 2005. Latifah has spoken candidly about how this experience shaped her understanding of what it means to care for others, noting that caregiving and parenting have many similarities. In an interview with PEOPLE prior to her mother’s passing in 2018, she shared, “As a caregiver — it’s just like being a parent, like some things really don’t matter…there’s something way more important than all that.”

Her mother’s passing in 2018 marked a pivotal moment in Latifah’s life, one that was followed by the birth of her first child. The arrival of her son, whom she has largely kept out of the spotlight, came shortly after a period of profound grief. Latifah has spoken about how deeply she was affected by the loss of her mother, describing her as “the love of my life” and reflecting on the lasting impact her mother’s encouragement had on her. “She believed in us as youngsters,” Latifah said in 2021, acknowledging the immense difference her mom’s support made in her life.

For Latifah, becoming a mother was a long-held dream. In 2016, she expressed her desire to start a family, telling E! Online, “I think I’m ready. I can’t say what God has for me, but you will see.” The birth of her son marked a new chapter, though Latifah has been open about her aspiration to give him siblings. “I’ve always envisioned myself with a big family,” she said. “I’m a late bloomer with a lot of things… I think I kind of needed to grow and mature and get everything kind of taken care of before I was able to really deal with it.”

Before officially becoming a mother, Latifah had already showcased her nurturing instincts. In 2017, she shared a heartwarming story about helping two women with babies at an airport, recalling, “I said, ‘You need me to hold that baby?’ I’m a natural at this thing.” This playful anecdote exemplified Latifah’s natural maternal qualities, which have undoubtedly translated into her parenting style.

Despite her public career, Latifah is fiercely protective of her son’s privacy, providing him with a quiet, low-key life away from the media’s gaze. The first public appearance of her son was at the Harlem Globetrotters basketball game when he was around four years old. More recently, he joined her at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they were seen cheering on the U.S. swimming team, with her son sporting a Lakers jersey and a Nike headband.

In a landmark moment, Latifah took the stage to accept the BET Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. While reflecting on her career, she also took the opportunity to publicly acknowledge her son for the first time. “Eboni, my love. Rebel, my love,” she said, sending a heartfelt shout-out to her child. This public recognition was a significant moment, as Latifah had kept her son’s existence private for years, only mentioning him briefly after the fact.

Latifah’s journey to motherhood, her role as a caregiver, and her ability to balance her personal and professional life offer a rare glimpse into the heart of one of the entertainment industry’s most beloved figures. As she continues to nurture her son and honor the memory of her late mother, Queen Latifah proves that the most important things in life — love, family, and the moments that truly matter — are at the center of her world.