All About Michael Strahan's Twins, Isabella and Sophia Strahan

Michael Strahan’s youngest children are his 19-year-old twins, Isabella and Sophia Strahan

Michael Strahan became a father of four when he welcomed his twin daughters, Isabella and Sophia, 19, in 2004.

The former New York Giants defensive end had Isabella and Sophia with his ex-wife, Jean Muggli, after welcoming his older children, Tanita and Michael Jr., with his first wife, Wanda Hutchins. The twins have grown up to make their father proud, graduating from high school in 2023 and starting college at separate schools later the same year.

"I cannot wait for them to go to [college], but it's actually a bittersweet thing," he told Yahoo in December 2022. "The bitter part is, of course, I'm gonna miss my kids when they're gone. But the sweet part is that they get a chance to grow and become adults."

Related: Michael Strahan's 4 Kids: All About Tanita, Michael Jr., Isabella and Sophia

Sophia started at Duke University while Isabella began her collegiate career at the University of Southern California. However, two months into her freshman year, Isabella was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a form of cancer that arises in the cerebellum, which is located at the base of the skull and is responsible for coordination. Doctors found a tumor the size of a golf ball, prompting Isabella to undergo emergency surgery.

"I know she's going through it, but I know that we're never given more than we can handle and that she is going to crush this," Michael said during an appearance alongside Isabella in a special segment for Good Morning America in January 2024.

From their notable childhood moments (including an interview with Michelle Obama!) to how they're supporting each other during hard times, here’s everything to know about Michael Strahan’s twin daughters, Isabella and Sophia Strahan.

They were born in 2004

Isabella and Sophia arrived on Oct. 28, 2004, and grew up splitting time between their mom’s farm in North Carolina and her home in North Dakota. Michael and Muggli split when the twins were infants, but that didn’t stop them from having a close relationship with both of their parents.

“It wasn’t like, ‘Okay, we split, now I’m gonna write a check and send it to your mom every month, and Daddy will see you down the road,’ ” Michael told PEOPLE in a 2016 cover story. “I’m not operating like that. Getting divorced is probably one of the toughest things I’ve ever gone through, but I learned a lot about myself.”

“When you’re a single father with 4-month-old kids, and you gotta be with them all the time, it taught me that there’s nothing to be afraid of,” he added. “I can do it. I look back on that as one of the most fulfilling times of my life. And I look at my kids now and it makes me happy because I know it paid off in my relationship with them. ”

During the school year, Michael said he would fly out to see them and on their breaks, they would come to stay with him in New York City.

They interviewed Michelle Obama when they were 10 years old

When the twins were just 10, they interviewed then-first lady Michelle Obama ahead of the White House’s Kids “State Dinner” in July 2015. Sophia and Isabella flew out on behalf of GMA to sit down with Michelle and ask her questions about her initiatives for healthy eating for youth.

Per ABC, the girls also asked a favor of the first lady — to help convince their dad to let them have a dog.

“Dad, wherever you are, let them have a dog. They're so cute and cuddly,” Michelle answered, addressing Michael. “And they're going to be responsible. And if they can do this interview, they can take care of a dog. Come on, Michael. All right, I hope that helped.”

Former President Barack Obama ended up making an appearance at the dinner, and the twins got the opportunity to meet him and shake his hand.

Michael later reflected on the moment with PEOPLE, admitting his twins live “crazy” lives.

“One time they flew out to D.C. and interviewed the First Lady for GMA,” he said. “Then the next day their mom was sending me a video of them riding horses and splashing around in a muddy corn field.”

They are passionate about volleyball and horseback riding

While they were in high school, Isabella and Sophia were involved in volleyball and horseback riding and Michael often posted photos of his daughters’ accomplishments on his Instagram.

The girls were passionate equestrians after having grown up part-time on their mother’s farm in Wilmington, North Carolina.

“The house is 200 years old and still needs a lot of work, but when we moved here, the thing we focused on was making the barn magical,” Muggli told The Carolinas Equestrian in 2019. “We made it a comfortable place to spend our time and enjoy our horses. Whenever we throw parties, they always happen at the barn.”

Isabella and Sophia were trained at their barn and took home multiple blue ribbons at prestigious competitions along the East Coast.

Isabella is a model and studies at USC

In April 2022, Isabella made her modeling debut when she walked the runway for Sherri Hill’s show. Her dad commemorated the special moment on Instagram, writing, “Very proud of you, @isabellastrahan, for crushing your first runway this weekend for @sherrihill!!!! As a parent, there is nothing like watching your child succeed at what they love with a smile on their face!"

According to her Instagram, she is represented by Women 360 in N.Y.C. In January 2024, Isabella celebrated her first major campaign with Sephora.

"So proud of my beautiful and amazing daughter, @isabellastrahan on her first big campaign. Proud of you 👏🏾🙌🏾 #GirlDad," the GMA host wrote in the caption of a post showing off some of the shots.

"THATS MY SISTER," Sophia wrote in the comments of her dad’s post.

In addition to her modeling career, Isabella is also a student at the University of Southern California, where she enrolled after earning her high school diploma from the Convent of the Sacred Heart.

“✌️ Out high school and on to USC!!! So proud of you, @isabellastrahan!!!” Michael wrote on his Instagram when she graduated. “Intelligent, beautiful, and hard-working!! I can’t wait to continue to watch you shine!! Love you! ❤️❤️.”

Sophia is a student at Duke University

Sophia graduated in May 2023 from the Trinity School in N.Y.C. Following her ceremony, Michael posted a congratulatory message, announcing her plans to attend Duke.

“My baby girl graduated!! I am so proud of you!!” he wrote. “You are intelligent, beautiful, and I can’t wait to see all of the amazing things you are going to accomplish at Duke. Congrats Sophia!! Love you! ❤️❤️.”

In August 2023, both girls started at their respective schools on opposite coasts.

Isabella was diagnosed with brain cancer during her freshman year of college

In January 2024, Isabella and Michael sat down for an interview with his fellow GMA co-anchor Robin Roberts where they revealed Isabella’s diagnosis with cancer. The college student revealed that what started as seemingly symptoms of vertigo got serious quickly.

"I didn't notice anything was off 'til probably like Oct. 1," she said. "That's when I definitely noticed headaches, nausea, couldn't walk straight."

However, on Oct. 25, just days before her 19th birthday, she woke up in the middle of the night and coughed up blood — prompting her family to urge her to go to the hospital.

Isabella was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles where doctors ran tests and discovered a tumor the size of a golf ball, prompting Michael to fly out and take time off work for “personal family matters,” as ABC referred to it.

What followed was emergency surgery as well as several months of radiation treatment and rehabilitation. Sophia and Michael were by her side throughout it all, including as the surgery took place a day before the twins’ birthday. In January, Isabella said she was done with radiation and was starting chemotherapy soon.

"I got to ring the bell yesterday," she said during her GMA interview. "It was great. It was very exciting because it's been a long 30 sessions, six weeks."

Throughout the few months of her journey, Isabella documented her experience and planned to post a series of vlogs as she continued through her treatment plan on her YouTube. She said she would send all proceeds to benefit Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center, where she is being treated.

"It's been like, two months of keeping it quiet, which is definitely difficult. I don't wanna hide it anymore 'cause it's hard to always keep in," she said on GMA. "I hope to just kind of be a voice, and be [someone] who maybe [those who] are going through chemotherapy or radiation can look at."

Sophia supported her sister through her cancer journey

Following the airing of the GMA interview, Sophia posted a carousel of photos of herself with her sister since her diagnosis, including shots in her hospital bed.

Related: Michael Strahan's Daughter Sophia Praises 'Strong' Twin Sister Isabella After Her Brain Tumor Diagnosis: 'You Inspire Me'

"I’m so lucky to have the most amazing sister and best friend in the world," she wrote in the caption. "The last few months have been so much harder than we could have ever imagined, but it’s made me realize just how strong you are. You inspire me and I’m so proud of you. Us forever 💞."

In her vlog, Isabella showed pictures of Sophia sitting by her bedside as she spent time in the hospital in October.

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