Katie Hopkins has three children: two daughters, India and Poppy, and a son named Maximillian, commonly known as Max. Her daughters are from her first marriage to businessman Damian McKinney, while her son is from her relationship with Mark Cross, whom she married in 2010.
Although Hopkins is known for her outspoken views and television appearances, she has also spoken openly about motherhood, relationships, and the challenges of raising a family while maintaining a demanding career.
Katie Hopkins | Profile Summary
| Quick Bio | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Katie Olivia Hopkins |
| Date of Birth | February 13, 1975 |
| Age (2026) | 51 years old |
| Birthplace | Barnstaple, Devon, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) |
| Profession | Media Personality, Columnist, Political Commentator |
| Marital Status | Married to Mark Cross (2010) |
| Former Husband | Damian McKinney (2004–2005) |
| Children | India, Poppy, and Maximillian |
| Education | University of Exeter; Royal Military Academy Sandhurst |
| Estimated Net Worth | Around $500,000, according to Celebrity Net Worth |
| Social Media | Instagram: @Katie_Hopkins; X: @KTHopkins; YouTube: @katiehopkinsOFFICIAL |
How Many Children Does Katie Hopkins Have?
Katie Hopkins is the mother of three children: India, Poppy, and Maximillian. India was born in 2004, followed by Poppy in 2005 and Max in 2008.
Her two daughters share the same father, Damian McKinney. Her youngest child, Max, is her son with Mark Cross.
The children have grown up largely away from the media attention surrounding their mother. While Hopkins has occasionally mentioned them in interviews and personal writing, they have not become regular figures in the entertainment industry.
Meet Katie Hopkins’ Three Children
India McKinney
India is Katie Hopkins’ eldest daughter, born in 2004 during her relationship with Damian McKinney. She turns 22 in 2026 and was born several months before her parents married.
In a 2014 interview with The Guardian, Hopkins recalled returning to work just two weeks after India’s birth. She was building her professional career at the time, which involved frequent travel and considerable responsibilities.
Poppy McKinney
Poppy, born in 2005, is Hopkins’ second daughter. She turns 21 in 2026. Her birth coincided with a difficult period in the family, as her parents’ marriage ended shortly afterward.
Hopkins has described caring for two young daughters following the separation. Although Poppy has occasionally been mentioned in her mother’s interviews, she has generally remained outside the public spotlight.
Maximillian Cross
Maximillian, often called Max, is Hopkins’ youngest child and only son. Born in 2008, he turns 18 in November 2026.
His father is Mark Cross, Hopkins’ second husband. Max was born two years before his parents married and has occasionally appeared in stories about Hopkins’ family life, particularly those involving her experiences as a mother.
Who Is Damian McKinney?
Damian McKinney is Katie Hopkins’ first husband and the father of India and Poppy. A former Royal Marine, he later became a businessman associated with the management consultancy McKinney Rogers.
The couple married in September 2004, several months after India’s birth. They welcomed Poppy the following year, but their marriage ended in 2005.
Hopkins has alleged in interviews that McKinney left her for another woman shortly after Poppy was born. She described returning home from the hospital with a newborn while also caring for India, who was still an infant.
The separation was especially challenging because Hopkins had also worked for McKinney’s company. She later spoke about the emotional strain of managing her career and motherhood during that period.
Who Is Mark Cross?
Mark Cross is Katie Hopkins’ second husband and the father of her son, Maximillian. He has been described as a design manager and director of a talent academy.
According to reporting in The Sun, Hopkins and Cross first met in 2006 while working at the Met Office. Their relationship began in 2007, following the breakdown of her first marriage.
They welcomed Max in 2008 and married in 2010. Their wedding appeared on the reality television programme Celebrity Four Weddings.
Hopkins has described Cross as calm, kind, and considerably less confrontational than herself. In interviews, she has credited his steady personality with helping balance their relationship, presenting him as an important influence in her family life.
Katie Hopkins’ Life as a Mother
Katie Hopkins has frequently discussed her approach to parenting, particularly education, discipline, and independence. Her opinions have sometimes attracted criticism because they challenge conventional expectations of motherhood.
In a 2013 interview with The Independent, she spoke candidly about missing school sports days and family activities because of professional commitments. She argued that working mothers should not necessarily feel guilty about prioritising their careers.
Hopkins has also emphasised academic achievement and personal responsibility. She has described wanting her children to develop confidence, resilience, and independence.
Her parenting views have generated debate, especially when they involve judgments about education and social backgrounds.
The Controversy Over Children’s Names
In July 2013, Hopkins appeared on ITV’s This Morning and sparked controversy with her comments about children’s names.
She argued that certain names could indicate social class and influence whether she wanted her children to associate with particular families.
Presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield challenged her views, questioning whether children should be judged by their names.
The discussion became particularly memorable when Hopkins criticised geographical names and Schofield pointed out that her own daughter was named India.
The exchange spread widely online and remains one of her best-known television controversies. It also brought attention to her daughters’ names and her opinions about parenting.
Her Emotional Letter to Her Children
In May 2015, Hopkins published an open letter addressed to India, Poppy, and Maximillian. The letter offered a more personal glimpse into her life as a mother.
She discussed her experiences with epilepsy, expressing concerns about her health and sharing advice she wanted her children to remember.
Her message emphasised resilience, accepting imperfections, making independent decisions, and appreciating everyday family moments.
The letter attracted media coverage because it revealed a more vulnerable side of Hopkins, whose public image had largely been shaped by outspoken commentary.
She later underwent brain surgery in February 2016 to treat her epilepsy, an experience that received further national attention.
Where Are Katie Hopkins’ Children Now?
As of October 2026, India is approximately 22, Poppy is around 21, and Maximillian is 17, with his 18th birthday approaching in November.
Their current careers, education, and relationships have attracted relatively little mainstream media coverage. Most established reporting about the children concerns their early lives and family background.
Unlike their mother, the three have maintained relatively private lives. There is little indication from established reporting that they have pursued similar careers in television or political commentary.
Who Is Katie Hopkins?
Katie Olivia Hopkins was born on February 13, 1975, in Barnstaple, Devon, England. She is 51 years old in 2026.
She studied economics at the University of Exeter and became nationally recognised after appearing on BBC’s The Apprentice in 2007.
Hopkins later appeared on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! and finished as runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother in 2015.
She subsequently worked as a columnist, broadcaster, and political commentator. Her outspoken opinions have attracted considerable criticism alongside support from sections of her audience.
Despite her demanding public career, motherhood has remained a recurring topic in her interviews and personal writing.
Final Thoughts
Katie Hopkins has three children: India and Poppy from her first marriage to Damian McKinney, and Maximillian from her relationship with Mark Cross.
Her family story includes two marriages, a difficult separation, and the challenges of balancing motherhood with a public career.
Although Hopkins frequently discusses parenting and family values, her children have generally stayed away from the spotlight, maintaining lives considerably more private than their mother’s.
FAQs
How many children does Katie Hopkins have?
Katie Hopkins has three children: two daughters, India and Poppy, and one son, Maximillian, commonly called Max.
How old are Katie Hopkins’ children in 2026?
India turns 22, Poppy turns 21, and Max turns 18 in November 2026. All three were born between 2004 and 2008.
Who is the father of Katie Hopkins’ daughters?
Damian McKinney, a British businessman and former Royal Marine, is the father of India and Poppy. He and Katie married in 2004 and separated in 2005.
Does Katie Hopkins have a child with Mark Cross?
Yes, Katie Hopkins and Mark Cross have one son together, Maximillian. He was born in 2008, two years before their wedding.
What are Katie Hopkins’ children doing now?
India and Poppy are now young adults, while Max is approaching adulthood. They generally maintain private lives away from their mother’s media career.
