Actor Sylvester Stallone has had one heck of a career … everyone knows this. When you think of Sly it’s impossible not to think of all of his films, especially his classic Rocky franchise that’s still going strong with Creed. While we know all about Sly and his mega Hollywood success — which includes three Oscar nominations — you may not be too familiar with his family, specifically his children.
The 73-year-old has been married three times in his life — his first marriage was to photographer and director Sasha Czack, with whom he had two sons, Sage Stallone and Seargeoh Stallone. After divorcing Sasha in 1985, Sly quickly remarried with actress and model Brigitte Nielsen just ten months later in the same year.
Sadly, Sly and Brigitte broke it off in 1987 and ended their highly-publicized relationship. Although the doting dad of five was single for a long time, he jumped back on the marriage bandwagon when he met entrepreneur and business owner Jennifer Flavin.
Not long after Sly and Jennifer — who was a model at the time — crossed paths, the couple were married by 1997. Together, the longtime lovebirds became the proud parents of three daughters, Sophia Stallone, Sistine Stallone and Scarlet Stallone. Keeping count? Don’t worry, because we are. All in all, Sly has five children.
Each child has, of course, gone their own route. Like the Hollywood superstar, Sly’s three daughters have followed in their dad’s famous footsteps. While Seargeoh is doing well, unfortunately Sly’s other son, Sage, passed away in July 2012. At the time of his death, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County coroner said the up-and-coming actor and filmmaker died at the young age of 36 of atherosclerosis, which was brought on by a heart attack.
The heartbroken father issued a statement following his beloved son’s death after many speculated he passed away from a drug overdose.
“Because when a parent loses a child there is no greater pain,” he said at the time, according to CNN. “Therefore I am imploring people to respect my wonderfully talented son’s memory and feel compassion for his loving mother, Sasha, because this agonizing loss will be felt for the rest of our lives. Sage was our first child and the center of our universe and I am humbly begging for all to have my son’s memory and soul left in peace.”