Reese Witherspoon Opens Up About Sending Her Daughter Ava Phillippe Off To College

Even though every parent knows their kids will eventually leave the nest, it doesn’t make saying goodbye any easier. Reese Witherspoon recently shared her heartfelt experience of sending her 19-year-old daughter, Ava Phillippe, off to college for the first time. It’s a moment filled with pride but also tinged with sadness, as every parent can relate to the bittersweet feeling of watching their child take this big step.

Reese Talks About Her Emotions on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’

During an appearance on the May 20 episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Reese, 43, opened up about how it felt to see Ava start her college journey. “My daughter is finishing her first year of college,” she revealed. “You know, it’s such a strange and emotional experience when your children go off to college. It’s hard, man. I never imagined how it felt for my mom when I left. I might have gone into her empty room, laid down on her bed, and cried when I went off to college. It’s like losing a piece of yourself, but you know they’re growing up, and that’s a good thing.”

Reese explained that not having Ava around anymore made her feel a deep sense of sadness. But she found comfort in reminding herself that her daughter would eventually return home. “It’s okay, she’s coming back,” Reese shared with a smile. “I thought she would be gone forever, but knowing she’s just starting her journey and will come back for visits makes it easier.”

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Reese’s Own College Experience

Interestingly, when Reese herself went off to college, things didn’t quite go as planned. “I never came back,” she admitted with a laugh. “I went to college for one year and then I started making movies. I moved to L.A., and I never came back. Sorry, mom. My poor mom must’ve been so disappointed.”

Mom’s Disappointment

Even though Reese was on her way to becoming a big Hollywood star, her mom, Betty Reese, wasn’t exactly thrilled with her decision to leave school. “My mom was so mad at me for dropping out of college,” Reese recalled. “She wanted me to be a doctor, specifically a plastic surgeon. My dad was an ear, nose, and throat surgeon, but my mom was really set on me becoming a plastic surgeon. She was mad about it for probably ten years, but then I bought her a house, and she got over it. At a certain point, it turned into a better deal for her.”

Can you imagine what Legally Blonde would have been like if Reese never decided to become an actress? The thought alone is almost too much to bear. Her career has been nothing short of incredible, and we’re grateful she followed her passion for acting.