“I Don’t Want to Be Away Anymore”—Daniel Craig’s Tearful Confession About Missing His Daughter’s Childhood

Daniel Craig, renowned for his portrayal of James Bond, has long kept his family life private, but recent interviews have offered valuable insights into the challenges he faces as a father. Despite his superstar status, Craig’s experiences with fatherhood reveal the difficulties of balancing a demanding career, modern parenting issues like social media, and the intricacies of raising children in the public eye. Through candid reflections, Craig has shared how he navigates these challenges, shedding light on his personal journey as a father.

Family Dynamics and Context

Craig, born on March 2, 1968, is a father to two daughters and a stepfather. His eldest daughter, Ella, born in 1992, is from his previous marriage to actress Fiona Loudon, while his younger daughter, Grace, was born in 2018 with his current wife, actress Rachel Weisz. Craig is also stepfather to Weisz’s son, Henry, from her previous relationship with director Darren Aronofsky. The age gap between his children—Ella is 32, while Grace is 6—adds complexity to Craig’s fatherhood experience, as he navigates the different needs and stages of his children’s lives.

Despite the public’s interest in his family life, Craig has always made a conscious effort to shield his children from media attention. For instance, Grace’s name was accidentally revealed in an Instagram Story by Ella in 2020, showcasing the couple’s effort to keep their family out of the spotlight.

Balancing Career and Family Life

One of the most significant challenges Craig has spoken about is the tension between his acting career and family responsibilities. Playing James Bond, a role that required him to spend significant time away from home, was particularly emotionally difficult for Craig’s family. As he reflected in an interview with HELLO! Magazine, the intense commitment to the Bond franchise, spanning from 2006 to 2021, created a strain on his family life. The emotional toll of being away from his loved ones while filming for extended periods was a consistent challenge throughout his Bond years.

By 2024, Craig’s priorities had shifted. In an interview promoting his role in Queer with The New York Times, he shared his desire for more time at home with his young daughter, Grace. “I’ve got a 6-year-old at home…and I don’t want to be away from home as much as I have in the past,” Craig admitted. This reveals a significant change in his career choices, with a focus on roles that allow for a better work-life balance and more family time. His shift away from the Bond franchise and his decision to take on projects with fewer time commitments reflect his dedication to prioritizing his family, especially as Grace’s young age and growing curiosity reshaped his perspective on work.

The Challenges of Social Media and Protective Parenting

Another modern parenting challenge that Craig has openly addressed is his concern about the impact of social media on children. In a 2025 interview with HELLO! Magazine, Craig didn’t hold back, comparing social media’s influence on children to the harmful effects of smoking. “It’s killing them,” he said, emphasizing his protective stance on keeping his children away from the negative psychological and social effects of the digital world. For celebrity parents like Craig, whose children are often at the center of public attention, shielding them from online harms has become a significant challenge.

Craig’s remarks align with broader conversations about digital parenting, where many parents are concerned about the impact of social media on their children’s mental health. As a public figure, Craig’s determination to shield his family from the pressures of the internet reflects his awareness of the unique challenges that come with fame.

Scrutiny and Societal Expectations

Despite his private nature, Craig has faced external scrutiny about his parenting decisions. In 2018, he was publicly criticized by Piers Morgan for carrying his daughter in a baby carrier, with Morgan deeming it “not masculine enough.” While Craig didn’t respond publicly to the criticism, the incident highlights the societal pressures and expectations that celebrity parents often face.

Moreover, the 24-year age gap between his daughters has likely influenced his parenting approach. Reports suggest that Craig, now wealthier and more established in his career, is particularly attuned to Grace’s safety and well-being, ensuring she is raised in a more stable and protected environment than Ella, whom he raised in the earlier years of his career.

Family Bonds and Parenting Joys

Despite the challenges, Craig’s dedication to his family remains unwavering. In 2023, Rachel Weisz shared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that Grace had become obsessed with Star Wars after bonding with Craig over the iconic film franchise, showing how the couple actively nurtures their daughter’s interests. This example reinforces the idea that, despite his busy schedule, Craig and Weisz make a conscious effort to maintain a strong family bond.

Conclusion

While Daniel Craig has not explicitly named the “hardest thing” he’s overcome as a father, it is clear from his interviews that the most significant challenge he faces is balancing his career with his family life. The pressures of a demanding career, the scrutiny of public life, and the complexities of modern parenting in the digital age have all played a role in shaping Craig’s approach to fatherhood. His ongoing reflections on work-life balance, his protective stance on social media, and his focus on spending time with his children reflect a conscious effort to prioritize his family, especially in the wake of his James Bond years. As Craig navigates fatherhood in the public eye, his story serves as a relatable and inspiring example for parents everywhere striving to find harmony between career success and family life.