The Hidden Story of Kelly Dale Anderson: Joni Mitchell’s Long-Lost Daughter

Joni Mitchell is one of the most loved and respected singer-songwriters in the world. Her music has touched hearts for over five decades. With songs like “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Both Sides Now,” she shared real emotions, real stories, and deep thoughts. But behind her fame and success, there was a personal secret she kept hidden for many years.

This secret was about her daughter, Kelly Dale Anderson, whom she gave up for adoption in the 1960s. For more than 30 years, no one knew about this part of her life. But in the 1990s, everything changed. In this article, we’ll explore the full story of Joni Mitchell’s daughter: from her birth and adoption to the emotional reunion that brought them back together.

Let’s begin with who she is.

Kelly Dale Anderson Quick Bio

Who Is Kelly Dale Anderson?

Kelly Dale Anderson is the only child of Joni Mitchell. She was born in 1965 and was later adopted by another family, who renamed her Kilauren Gibb. For many years, people didn’t know that Joni had a daughter at all.

Joni kept this part of her life very private. Even though she sang about her feelings in songs, she never told the public about Kelly until decades later. When the truth finally came out, it surprised many fans and touched people around the world.

The Birth of Kelly Dale Anderson

Kelly was born on February 19, 1965, in Toronto, Canada. At that time, Joni Mitchell (whose real name is Roberta Joan Anderson) was only 21 years old. She was a young art student, alone, and struggling financially.

Joni stayed in the hospital for 10 days after giving birth. She named her baby Kelly Dale Anderson. But even as she held her newborn daughter, she knew she had no home, no money, and no support. She truly wanted to raise her child, but didn’t know how to make it work.

Why Joni Mitchell Gave Her Baby Away

In the 1960s, having a baby without being married was seen as shameful. Joni said in an interview, “The scandal was so intense. It ruined you in a social sense.” She didn’t want her parents to know about the pregnancy, and the baby’s father didn’t want to be involved either.

Feeling helpless, Joni rushed into a quick marriage with folk singer Chuck Mitchell. She hoped they could raise the baby together. But the marriage didn’t last. Within a month, it was clear they weren’t going to make it work.

With no support, no income, and no home, Joni made the hardest decision of her life — she gave her daughter up for adoption. It broke her heart, but she believed it was the best chance for her baby to have a good life.

Kelly’s Life After Adoption

At around 6 to 8 months old, Kelly was adopted by a couple from Toronto — David and Ida Gibb. They were both teachers and already had a son named David Jr. After the adoption, they changed her name to Kilauren Gibb.

Kilauren was raised in a warm, caring home. She went to good schools, enjoyed family trips, and lived a very stable life. Her parents didn’t tell her right away that she was adopted. They wanted to protect her and help her feel like she belonged.

She didn’t know anything about Joni Mitchell — or that her real mother was a famous musician.

Did Kelly Know She Was Adopted?

As Kilauren grew up, she started to notice small things that made her curious. For example, she once looked at her family photo album and realized there were no baby pictures of her before 8 months old.

When she asked about it, her mother gave simple answers like, “The camera wasn’t handy,” or “You’re the second child, so we didn’t take as many pictures.” But something still felt odd.

Finally, when Kilauren was 27 years old and expecting her first baby, her parents sat her down and told her the truth — she had been adopted. This news was shocking, but it also made a lot of things in her life make sense.

Kelly Dale Anderson’s Education and Career

Kilauren Gibb had a strong educational background. She attended The Bishop Strachan School, a private girls’ school in Toronto. Later, she studied at the University of Toronto and even took a year of classes at Harvard University, focusing on drama and psychology.

She also had a successful career as a model. For over 13 years, she worked internationally in fashion, appeared in magazines like Chatelaine, and did ads, TV commercials, and small movie roles.

Even though her life seemed full and successful, she still felt something was missing — a part of her identity that she didn’t yet understand.

How Kelly Reconnected with Joni Mitchell

In the early 1990s, Joni Mitchell’s old college roommate sold the story of her hidden daughter to a tabloid. Joni was hurt by the betrayal, but it also opened a door. She realized it was time to start searching for her daughter.

At the same time, Kilauren (Kelly) had also begun looking for her birth mother. She reached out to Children’s Aid in Canada and received general background details — including that her mother had musical talent.

A fan named Wally Breese created a website to help find Joni’s daughter. When Kilauren came across it, she noticed that many of the details matched her life: her mother had polio, came from Saskatchewan, was an artist, and had dated an art school student.

She contacted Joni’s manager. When they heard her voice, they were shocked at how similar she sounded to Joni. It felt like fate was finally bringing them back together.

Joni Mitchell’s Song for Her Daughter

Joni Mitchell didn’t just keep her daughter a secret—she also poured her feelings into her music. One of her most emotional songs, called “Little Green,” was written about Kelly Dale Anderson. It appeared on her famous album Blue, released in 1971.

In the song, Joni sings about a young mother who had to let go of her baby. She wrote about signing the adoption papers and the pain of saying goodbye. The name “Kelly” is even hidden in the title — Little Green refers to Kelly Green, a nickname from her daughter’s birth name.

Later, when Kelly heard the song, she said she never would have known it was about her. Joni told her it was like a “message in a bottle” — something she sent out into the world, hoping her daughter would one day hear it.

Their Emotional Reunion

After they confirmed the match, Kelly flew to Los Angeles to meet her birth mother for the very first time. She brought along her 3-year-old son, Marlin, making Joni a grandmother.

The moment they saw each other was filled with tears and smiles. Joni apologized right away. She told her daughter how sorry she was and explained that she had no money, no support, and no choice back then.

Kelly felt whole again. She said the reunion gave her peace and made her feel complete. They talked, laughed, and shared stories. Even though they had been apart for over 30 years, it felt like they still had a strong connection.

Kelly Meets Her Biological Father

After reuniting with her mother, Kelly also got to meet her biological father, Brad MacMath. He had left Canada when Joni got pregnant and didn’t know what happened to the baby.

Brad later shared that he often wondered about her and even looked for her in crowds. Meeting Kelly and his grandson was a special and emotional moment for him, too.

Kelly also found out that she had half-siblings from Brad’s other relationships. Her family tree grew quickly, and she was finally able to learn more about both sides of her biological family.

Kelly Dale Anderson’s Life Today

So, where is Kelly Dale Anderson now? As of 2025, she is around 60 years old and still goes by the name Kilauren Gibb. She lives a quiet life, away from the spotlight.

She is a mother of two — her son, Marlin, and her daughter, Daisy Gibb. Over the years, both children have been seen with their grandmother, Joni, at red carpet events and music celebrations.

Although many people wonder about Kelly’s current career or personal updates, she prefers to stay private. She has not spoken much to the media in recent years. There were even some false rumors online about her death, but those are not true. She is very much alive and continues to live her life quietly.

Final Thoughts

The story of Kelly Dale Anderson is not just about adoption. It’s about love, loss, forgiveness, and the power of reunion. Joni Mitchell made a painful choice as a young woman, but years later, that lost bond was finally rebuilt.

Kelly’s life journey shows that even when we start in one place, we can grow, change, and find our way back to the people who matter. She was raised by a kind family, built her own career, became a mother, and later found her birth parents.

Even though Joni and Kelly went through a lot, they found peace and understanding. Their hidden story became one of the most touching parts of Joni’s life. And for Kelly, it was a way to finally feel complete.

(FAQs)

How many kids does Kelly Dale Anderson have, and who is her husband?

Kelly has two children — a son named Marlin Kohler and a daughter named Daisy Gibb. She was once married, but her husband’s name has never been made public.

How old is Kelly Dale Anderson now, and when was she born?

Kelly was born on February 19, 1965, in Toronto, Canada. She is 60 years old as of 2025.

Where did Kelly Dale Anderson go to school?

Surprisingly, Kelly studied at some top schools, including The Bishop Strachan School, University of Toronto, and even Harvard University for a year.

What is Kelly Dale Anderson’s net worth?

Her exact net worth is unknown, but she had a successful 13-year modeling career. It’s also unclear if she received any share of Joni Mitchell’s $150 million fortune.

Who is Kelly Dale Anderson’s real father?

Her biological father is Brad MacMath, a Canadian photographer who left for California before she was born. They reunited decades later.