Michelle Kwan, the iconic figure skater and Olympic silver medalist, has welcomed her second daughter, surprising fans once more by keeping her pregnancy under wraps.

The 45-year-old shared her joy on Instagram, writing, “Christmas came early [heart emoji].” She expressed the overwhelming love she felt the moment she held her newborn, adding that witnessing her older daughter, Kalista Belle, meet her baby sister for the first time brought tears to her eyes.

Kwan introduced her new arrival, Della Rose Kwan, through a series of heartfelt photos on Instagram. These images also feature Kalista Belle, who is soon approaching her fourth birthday.

The identity of the girls’ father remains undisclosed. Kwan was previously married to Clay Pell, a lawyer with a background in the Obama administration who also campaigned for governor in Rhode Island. Their marriage ended in 2017.

In recent years, Kwan has engaged more deeply in political activities, notably serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Belize under President Joe Biden, before Donald Trump re-entered the political scene.

The ensuing year was challenging for Kwan, who referred to her own battles with fertility issues leading up to her surprise birth announcement this week.

 Della Rose Kwan is pictured with her mother Michelle, an Olympian and former diplomat 

Figure skating legend and Olympic silver medalist Michelle Kwan has given birth to a second daughter after once again keeping her pregnancy a secret from the public

‘I’ve always dreamt of having children, and when Kalista came into the world, I was already beyond grateful for a miracle that once felt impossible after years of trying,’ she wrote online.

‘Getting here again has been its own rollercoaster, and I’m endlessly thankful for my love, who I’m so lucky to share my life with, my family, who I would not be here without, and the incredible doctors and support team who helped make this miracle happen. After more than a decade of hoping, I still can’t quite believe this moment is real. 

‘As an Olympian, I’ve pushed my body to its limits and been amazed by its strength—but carrying another life has left me in even greater awe,’ she continued. ‘There were moments of frustration over how little I could control—a humbling reminder that fertility is something none of us can fully predict. 

‘To all the moms, moms-to-be, and the women and families dealing with infertility or praying to build a family—I know what you’re going through and I’m hoping you feel loved and supported in every way as you navigate this journey,’ she wrote.

Michelle Kwan, 45, is pictured with her soon-to-be 4-year-old daughter Kalista 

The Kwan girls are pictured together in this Christmas ornament: Michelle, Della and Kalista

Kwan is seen in this 2015 photo alongside her now-former husband, attorney Clay Pell

Naturally, well wishers have poured onto Kwan’s social media pages to congratulate her.

Most notably, former US skater Tara Lipinski commented: ‘Congratulations! I’m so happy for you and your family!’

As was the case this week, the 2022 birth of Kalista was also a complete surprise to Kwan’s fans.

‘As people closest to me know, I’m always full of surprises and tend to keep my personal life private,’ she wrote after Kalista’s birth in 2022. 

‘And, I’ve wanted to share this happy news for many months but each milestone seemed to be exciting and daunting at the same time. Each step of the way, I knew that there was still more time needed until I could hold her in my arms.’

Winner of one silver and one bronze medal over three Olympic appearances (1998 Nagano, 2002 Salt Lake City, 2006 Turin), Kwan is best known for her five world championships and nine US championships, making her one of the most decorated skaters ever.