Tarek El Moussa Opens Up About Fatherhood: His Journey Raising Taylor, Brayden, and Tristan

Tarek El Moussa is best known as a real estate investor, house flipper, and longtime HGTV personality, but at the core of his life’s journey is his role as a devoted father of three. His story is not just about homes rebuilt, but a life rebuilt—from surviving multiple cancer battles to weathering a very public divorce and ultimately discovering renewed purpose through fatherhood.

For Tarek, fatherhood has been a guiding light. While celebrating his cancer remission in March 2019, he expressed:

“I have to be healthy and alive for them!! … They are my everything and they need their daddy!” – March 2019 Facebook post

Tarek rose to fame co-hosting HGTV’s hit renovation series Flip or Flop alongside his former wife, Christina Hall (formerly Anstead). During their marriage, the couple welcomed two children: daughter Taylor Reese and son Brayden James. The couple separated in 2016, and their divorce was finalized in January 2018.

Shortly after the divorce, he reflected openly on the challenges of navigating shared custody and missing his kids when they weren’t with him:

“I miss them!!!!! The hardest part about divorce is not being with your kids all the time!! I just miss them so much when I don’t have them… it’s funny how when they are here it’s like a tornado hit, and when they leave… crickets… 😩❤️❤️❤️”
– December 3, 2018

“It’s hard being away from your kids days at a time but it’s something you get used to… I go back to my photos and it always puts a smile on my face.”
– October 2020

Tarek consistently used his platform to share not only the big moments but also the raw emotions of fatherhood, particularly during that transitional time.

A new chapter began in 2019 when Tarek mede Selling Sunset star Heather Rae Young official through a heartfelt post on social media. This marked a significant personal milestone, as he opened up publicly about finding love again after years of being single. In the caption, he wrote:

“After more than 3 years on my own, I’m so PROUD to say that this beautiful, sweet, and talented young lady is my girlfriend!

I’ll be honest and say I never thought I would meet someone special in my life after the last three years.

Then… out of the blue, @heatherraeyoung walked into my life. The first time I saw her smile, she ‘did that thing to my tummy,’ and I knew right away I needed to get to know her…

So I asked her out!! She said yes 😎

You just never know what tomorrow brings. I just want to let the world know I met someone special that makes me want to be a better man 🙂”

The two met on the Fourth of July while boating in Newport Beach, and sparks flew instantly. Tarek later described their instant connection as something he didn’t expect but knew he couldn’t let slip away. Their whirlwind romance moved quickly, with Heather meeting his children early on and becoming an integral part of their lives.

Tarek often praised Heather’s nurturing bond with Taylor and Brayden, calling her a natural fit for their growing family. The couple got engaged in April 2020 during a romantic getaway to Catalina Island, and their fairytale wedding followed in October 2021, documented in the HGTV special Heather and Tarek: The Big I Do.

In early 2023, they welcomed their first child together—Tristan Jay El Moussa—on January 31, 2023, officially blending their lives into a family of five.

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A post shared by Tarek El Moussa (@therealtarekelmoussa)

Today, Tarek juggles his booming real estate brand, television commitments, and a vibrant family life with Heather, all while staying actively involved in raising his children from both relationships. From birthday celebrations and heartwarming beach outings to school events and bedtime routines, his social media is a living diary of fatherhood’s triumphs and trials.

On His Bond with daughter, Taylor Reese

Taylor Reese El Moussa was born on September 22, 2010, and as Tarek’s oldest child, she holds a special place in his heart.

In September 2017, Tarek posted a colorful photo from her mermaid-themed 7th birthday party, writing:

“I’m the luckiest daddy alive! Happy 7th B-day Munchkin!!”

A year later, in September 2018, he posted another birthday tribute with deep affection:

“Ugh this girl is my absolute best friend in the entire world. She’s my everything, the love of my life. I’m honestly a really lucky guy to have such amazing babies… Happy 8th birthday, we love you to the moon and back!”

In February 2020, Tarek marked a joyful tradition with Taylor—the daddy-daughter dance. That year was their third dance together, and he described it as their “big night.” Taylor had picked out her dress with Heather Rae Young and kept it hidden until the event. They even wore matching corsages, and Tarek shared:

“Words can’t describe how I feel about Taylor. I never would have made it through my divorce without her. She was my rock, my best friend, and my biggest supporter!”

In September 2022, Taylor celebrated her 12th birthday with a weekend trip to Wild Rivers water park and a flight to Scottsdale, Arizona. Tarek joked about showing off his “ghostly white dad bod,” and shared how special it was to spend the weekend surrounded by friends and family.

For her 13th birthday, Tarek and Heather planned a surprise party, which was filled with balloons, family, and smiles:

“She was so surprised and so happy 🥰❤️… it was so cute to see Tay soaking it all in, surrounded by our family.”

At the start of 2023, Tarek posted a heartfelt photo from a beach outing—he and Taylor walking hand-in-hand along the shore. Reflecting on that quiet moment, he wrote about the bittersweet realization that his little girl was growing up quickly. He noted she would be heading to college in just six years, and reminisced about how precious it is to still be in the phase where holding hands isn’t yet “embarrassing.”

He expressed hope that even as Taylor becomes a teenager, she would still hold his hand, sharing how much he cherished every bit of their time together. He ended the post on a touching note, saying that dad life was truly made for him.

One touching milestone arrived in June 2023, when Tarek shared that Taylor had graduated from sixth grade and officially become a seventh grader. He wrote about how surreal it felt to watch her reach this new chapter, calling it a privilege to have a front-row seat to her life

On September 22, 2024, Tarek celebrated Taylor’s 14th birthday with a touching message:

“It went by so fast I could almost cry… She’s a strong, talented, beautiful young lady, and I couldn’t be more proud… I’m excited for everything to come ❤️”

From themed birthday parties and school dances to beach walks and middle school milestones, Taylor’s growing-up journey is one that Tarek captures with sincerity, pride, and the unmistakable love of a devoted father.

On His Bond with Brayden James (Bray Bray)

Brayden James El Moussa was born on August 20, 2015, and Tarek has spent nearly a decade documenting their growing bond. He once shared:

“I just love my kids more than anything and sometimes traumatic events can bring people closer. I can say both my kids are my best friends in the world.”

Tarek has described Brayden as a bundle of energy—sweet-natured, curious, and always ready for an adventure. From shark tooth hunts to school field trips, Brayden’s sense of wonder has made him a joy to raise. Reflecting on Brayden’s 7th birthday, which he celebrated on August 20, 2022, Tarek wrote:

“Happy birthday mr. handsome!!! I can’t believe Bray Bray is SEVEN years old!… Bray has the kindest heart, the sweetest personality, and is really growing up to be such a special person.”

When Bray turned 9 in 2024, Tarek shared:

“I’m literally tearing up writing this… I’m so excited for his birthday gift, which is a one-night fishing trip on a private charter to Mexico!… We literally do everything together and have so much fun.”

They’ve bonded over sports, school activities, and beach days. In August 2024, as Brayden started 3rd grade, Tarek reflected:

“How is our little Bray Bray already going into 3rd grade!! 😭 Parents… how is time going so fast! We gotta slow it down because we absolutely adore this little guy. He’s sweet, charming and full of heart and we couldn’t be more proud!!”

Brayden’s enthusiasm for life shows up in so many ways. He’s a big fan of hockey—during a Ducks game outing in December 2023, Tarek mentioned how much joy it brought him to see Bray’s face light up watching the players. It was a particularly meaningful moment for Tarek, who used to play hockey himself as a kid. He even joked, “maybe we’ll be hockey parents next season,” hinting that a new father-son tradition could be forming around the rink. From digging through dirt to decorating for Christmas, Bray is often at the center of the El Moussa household’s happiest memories.

On the Birth and Joy of Tristan Jay

Tristan Jay El Moussa was born on January 31, 2023, and since then, Tarek has lovingly called him “Tristan Bear.” His emotional tribute on Tristan’s first birthday in 2024 revealed just how much he cherishes this new chapter:

“Our little bear is officially 1 year old today 😭 The best addition to our family of five and a light that brightens all of our days… I can’t believe we have 1 teenager, 1 pre-teen, and a toddler in our home.”

As Tristan grows, Tarek frequently shares moments of everyday wonder—milestones, swings at the beach, and family playtime. In June 2024, he posted:

“Every day he wakes up & it seems like he’s bigger. It’s bittersweet because it’s so incredible to watch the changes & milestones but it’s also sad because he’s not a little baby anymore. 😢 Continue to shine our sweet little Tristan Bear 🐻 dada & mama love you so much.”

Tarek also revealed Tristan’s love for all things water:

“Tristan loved it & loves anything to do with water, and now that he’s older we can’t wait to take him to different activities this summer.”

He followed up in 2025, celebrating Tristan’s second birthday with another sweet message:

“Our little bestie—2 years ago you changed our world forever… Happy birthday to our baby.”