Behind the laughter and energy that fans have come to love from late-night host Jimmy Fallon lies a deeply personal and emotional story—one that he and his wife, film producer Nancy Juvonen, chose to keep private for years. Their journey to parenthood wasn’t easy. In fact, it was a five-year struggle filled with repeated heartbreak, unanswered questions, and quiet resilience. But it ultimately led to the most joyous of outcomes: the birth of their daughters, Winnie Rose and Frances Cole, through surrogacy.

In an interview following the birth of his first child, Fallon opened up about the painful and exhausting road that he and Nancy had traveled to become parents. “It’s hard if you can’t have children,” he admitted. “We struggled for a good five years trying to have a kid.” During that time, the couple tried a number of fertility treatments, including multiple rounds of IVF (in vitro fertilization). Sadly, those attempts were unsuccessful, and doctors couldn’t even pinpoint the cause of the infertility. “We didn’t know which one of us wasn’t clicking,” Fallon said, highlighting the helplessness that many couples feel during such uncertain times.

Trying to conceive became an all-consuming challenge for both of them. “It was a tough time… you drink teas, you try everything,” Fallon said. He even joked about sleeping upside down, desperately hoping that something—anything—might work. But nothing did.

Eventually, they turned to surrogacy, a decision that would change their lives. Fallon and Juvonen kept the pregnancy a secret—even from their own families—until their daughter, Winnie Rose, was born. “We said, ‘We’re not going to tell anybody,’” Fallon explained. “It’d be just more fun if it’s just private between me and my wife. And then we get to introduce her to everybody.”

That introduction came in true Jimmy Fallon fashion: during his signature “Thank You Notes” segment on The Tonight Show, he cheekily addressed the newborn Prince George of Cambridge, calling him “the other baby,” as a photo of his newborn daughter appeared on the screen. It was a lighthearted but powerful moment, revealing to the world not just a celebrity baby, but the love and perseverance that brought her into the world.

Fallon later shared the story behind her name. “It’s not Winnie-the-Pooh,” he clarified. The name was inspired by Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, where he and Nancy got engaged. “And also, she’s a ‘win’ for us,” he added, beaming.

About a year and a half later, the couple welcomed their second daughter, Frances Cole, again through surrogacy. With the arrival of Frances, Fallon was more confident and playful, even setting a hilarious goal for himself: he wanted her first word to be “dada.” He was so dedicated to this mission that he wrote a children’s book titled Your Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada—a humorous, self-aware take on parenting, published with his signature wit.

Beverly Hills MD
Plastic Surgeon Tells: If You Have Wrinkles, Do This Immediately (It’s Genius!)
The 1 Household Item That Visibly Tightens Saggy Skin
Learn More

Though the laughter and joy are now abundant, Fallon hasn’t forgotten the struggle. “Anyone who’s tried [to conceive] will know—it’s just awful,” he said. His message to others facing similar battles is simple but powerful: “Just hang in there. Try every avenue; try anything you can do, because you’ll get there. You’ll end up with a family, and it’s so worth it. It is the most ‘worth it’ thing.”

Fallon’s openness about infertility has helped to break the silence around an issue that affects millions but is often spoken about only in hushed tones. “A lot of people don’t really talk about it that much, and I think they should,” he emphasized. His wife, Nancy, echoed this sentiment, noting how little guidance and conversation there is around fertility options, especially for women.

For many years, the couple suffered in silence. Fallon even said he avoided telling his family about their efforts. “We tried before, we told people, and then it didn’t happen. It’s just really depressing. It’s really hard on everybody.” That’s why the couple chose to keep both pregnancies a secret until the babies were born—shielding themselves from the pressure and potential heartbreak of another failed attempt.

Today, Jimmy Fallon is the proud father of two little girls who, in his own words, have completely transformed his life. “I definitely really appreciate what I have,” he said. “I just love them so much, and it’s insane.”

Their journey—from unexplained infertility to joyful surrogacy—has served as a beacon of hope for countless couples walking a similar path. While the Fallons had the financial resources to explore various fertility treatments and eventually surrogacy, the emotions they endured—grief, frustration, hope, and joy—are universal.

Their story is a reminder that sometimes, love and persistence can lead to a different kind of miracle. It’s not always easy, and it certainly isn’t fast. But as Jimmy Fallon will be the first to say, it’s absolutely worth it.