Who Is Heather Joy Arrington? Meet Dakota and Elle Fanning’s Amazing Mom

Many people know Dakota and Elle Fanning as famous Hollywood stars. They started acting when they were very young and became big names in movies and TV. But behind their success is someone very special—Heather Joy Arrington, their mom.

Heather is not just any mom. She is a former tennis player, a loving parent, and someone who gave up her own dreams to support her daughters. Even though she stays away from the spotlight, her role in Dakota and Elle’s lives has been huge. In this article, we’ll learn all about Heather’s life—from her early days to how she raised two kind, talented daughters.

Let’s get to know Heather Joy Arrington better.

Heather Joy Arrington Quick Bio

Who Is Heather Joy Arrington?

Heather Joy Arrington is best known as the mother of actresses Dakota and Elle Fanning. But she is also much more than that. Born on July 1, 1967, she comes from Conyers, Georgia, and had a strong background in sports.

She is a quiet and private person. You won’t see her on red carpets or doing interviews. In fact, Dakota once joked that you probably can’t find a picture of her mom online unless it was taken by a paparazzi. But even though she doesn’t like attention, she has played a big role in her daughters’ lives—and their success.

Heather has always been calm, kind, and supportive. She raised her girls with love and discipline, but never pushed them too hard. That’s what makes her so special.

Heather’s Early Life in Georgia

Heather grew up in the southern town of Conyers, where family, sports, and good manners were very important. Her parents were Rick Arrington, a former NFL quarterback, and Mary Jane Arrington, a loving and strong mother.

She was raised with her sister Jill, and both girls were taught old-school Southern values—like saying “please” and “thank you,” and treating others with respect. Heather passed those values on to her daughters, which is one reason people say Dakota and Elle have such perfect manners.

Her childhood was full of family, sports, and strong values. It set the foundation for the kind of mother she would become.

Heather Joy Arrington’s Tennis Career

Before becoming a full-time mom, Heather was a very good tennis player. She was so talented that she got a tennis scholarship to the University of Miami. That’s not easy to get—it means she was one of the best players at her age.

After college, she played tennis professionally for a short time. Sports ran in her family, so it made sense. Her father had been a football star, and Heather hoped to pass that sporty lifestyle down to her kids too.

But life had a different plan. When her daughters showed interest in acting instead of sports, Heather didn’t force them to follow her path. She simply supported their dreams instead.

Marriage to Steven Fanning

In 1992, Heather married Steven Fanning, a minor league baseball player. He also loved sports and had a competitive spirit like Heather. The two made a great team and shared the same parenting style—supportive but never pushy.

Steven left baseball in 1995 and later worked as an electronics salesman. Heather, too, left tennis to focus fully on raising her family. Together, they raised two daughters in a happy home where dreams were always supported.

Even though the couple later divorced, they gave their daughters a strong start in life filled with love, structure, and encouragement.

Becoming a Mom to Dakota and Elle Fanning

Heather became a mom for the first time on February 23, 1994, when Dakota Fanning was born. Four years later, she gave birth to Elle Fanning on April 9, 1998.

From the very beginning, Heather made parenting her main focus. She didn’t just raise her girls—she involved them in every part of life. A sweet story shows how close they were: When Heather went to the hospital to give birth to Elle, little Dakota stayed in the room on a small cot, sleeping beside her mom through the night.

Heather didn’t know Elle’s gender before giving birth, and Dakota’s first words when she woke up were, “What is it?” It’s a small but beautiful moment that shows just how connected they were as a family.

Heather Joy Arrington Was Not a Stage Mom

Even though both her daughters became child stars, Heather never acted like a “stage mom.” She wasn’t controlling or loud. She didn’t try to manage their careers or chase fame. In fact, she often stayed in the background, sitting quietly on set, just making sure her girls were okay.

Heather signed Dakota up for tennis lessons at age 3, thinking she might follow in her footsteps. But when Dakota didn’t enjoy it, Heather didn’t force her. She simply smiled and accepted it.

Dakota once said that her mom trusted her. She would ask, “Do you know your lines?” and if Dakota said yes, that was enough. That kind of trust made her daughters feel confident and loved.

Life After Divorce from Steven Fanning

After 25 years of marriage, Steven and Heather Fanning divorced in 2018. Steven had first filed for divorce in 2016, but they tried to work things out. Two years later, they filed again, and the divorce became final.

They split quietly and respectfully. Since their daughters were already adults, there were no child support issues. Steven didn’t ask for alimony either. It was simply a case of “irreconcilable differences.”

Even after the divorce, Heather and Steven stayed supportive of their daughters. They both continue to cheer Dakota and Elle on from behind the scenes, just like they always did.

How Heather Raised Two Stars with Good Manners

Heather Joy Arrington didn’t just raise two famous daughters—she raised two kind and well-mannered young women. Both Dakota and Elle are known in Hollywood for being respectful, thoughtful, and polite. And that’s no accident.

Heather believed in teaching good values from a young age. She made sure her daughters said “please” and “thank you.” She even taught them to write handwritten thank-you notes after working with directors and crew members. That’s rare today, and it made a big difference in how people saw them.

Elle once said that if she or Dakota misbehaved in public, their mom would gently correct them on the spot. Heather didn’t yell, but she made sure they learned. It was part of the Southern manners she grew up with, and she passed those traditions to her girls with love.

Heather Joy Arrington’s Royal Family Connection

Here’s a fun and surprising fact: Heather Joy Arrington is connected to royalty. Yes—she and her daughters are distant relatives of the British royal family.

Through Heather’s side of the family, Dakota and Elle Fanning are 22nd great-granddaughters of King Edward III, who ruled England in the 1300s. That also makes them distant cousins of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge. Crazy, right?

Of course, this doesn’t mean they’ll be attending a royal coronation anytime soon. But it’s still a cool piece of history. It shows that Heather’s family tree goes way back—and it adds an interesting twist to the Fanning story.

Heather’s Private Life Away from the Spotlight

One thing people admire about Heather Joy Arrington is how she stays out of the spotlight. Even though her daughters are world-famous, she doesn’t look for attention. She doesn’t walk red carpets, doesn’t give interviews, and doesn’t have public social media.

Dakota once joked on a podcast that you’ll never find a photo of her mom unless it was taken by a paparazzi while walking beside her daughters. That’s how private Heather is.

She believes in supporting her daughters from behind the scenes. On movie sets, she sat in a quiet corner, always nearby but never involved unless needed. She wanted Dakota and Elle to shine—not herself.

Dakota and Elle’s Beautiful Tributes to Heather

Even though Heather avoids the spotlight, her daughters love to celebrate her. They often post sweet photos and messages on Mother’s Day, her birthday, or just to say thank you.

During the 2020 lockdown, Heather made a special Strawberry Shortcake birthday cake wearing a face mask for Elle. It was a fun and thoughtful surprise, showing how much she still enjoys making her daughters smile.

In 2024, Dakota gave a speech while accepting an award and said, “My mom was always there—for anything and everything.” She added that her mom put her own dreams aside so Dakota could follow hers. That’s the kind of mom Heather Joy Arrington is.

Heather Joy Arrington’s Net Worth and Legacy

Heather doesn’t work in Hollywood, and she doesn’t chase money or fame. But she has built a beautiful life with love and purpose. Her estimated net worth is around $400,000, mostly from her past tennis career and personal work.

But her true legacy is not in money. It’s in how she raised her children. Heather Joy Arrington gave the world two talented, kind, and strong young women. She taught them how to be respectful, how to stay grounded, and how to succeed without losing who they are.

And she did all of that quietly, behind the scenes, with grace.

Final Thoughts

Heather Joy Arrington is a shining example of what it means to be a good mom. She had a dream of becoming a professional tennis player—and she did that. But when life gave her two daughters with big dreams of their own, she stepped back and helped them grow.

She never tried to be famous. She never tried to take the spotlight. Instead, she gave her daughters all the love, strength, and support they needed to succeed on their own.

Who is Heather Joy Arrington? She’s not just Dakota and Elle Fanning’s mom. She’s a quiet hero, a strong woman, and a beautiful soul who chose love over fame—and we’re all better for it.

(FAQs)

What was Heather Joy Arrington like when she was young?

She was a talented tennis player with a bright future in sports. But even back then, she was quiet and didn’t care about fame. She liked staying private, even before her daughters became stars.

Why did Heather and Steven Fanning get divorced?

They were married for 25 years but decided to go separate ways in 2018. It was peaceful, with no public drama. They both kept supporting their daughters after the split.

Has Heather Joy Arrington ever been in movies?

No, she hasn’t. Even though Dakota and Elle are famous actresses, Heather never tried to act. She’s happy staying in the background and cheering them on.

How old is Heather Joy Arrington, and when is her birthday?

Heather was born on July 1, 1967, which makes her 58 years old in 2025. She still looks young and full of energy.

What is Heather Joy Arrington’s net worth?

She’s not rich from Hollywood. Her net worth is around $400,000, mostly from her early tennis career and personal work—not from fame.

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