Peta Murgatroyd is tired. Honestly, who wouldn't be?
Imagine a house where the noise never stops, the laundry pile has its own zip code, and three energetic boys are constantly vying for the "favorite child" trophy of the hour. That’s the reality for the Dancing With the Stars icon in 2026. For years, we watched her glide across the ballroom floor with effortless grace, but these days, her most impressive footwork happens while dodging LEGOs in her living room.
The Peta Murgatroyd family has grown at a lightning-fast pace that surprised even her. It’s a beautiful, chaotic, and deeply emotional story that’s about way more than just celebrity sightings or red carpets. It’s about the grit of motherhood after a long road of heartbreak.
The Chmerkovskiy Crew: Meet the Boys
If you haven't kept up with the nursery count lately, Peta and her husband, Maksim "Maks" Chmerkovskiy, are now a family of five. It happened fast. Like, "don't blink or you'll miss a pregnancy announcement" fast.
Their oldest, Shai Aleksander, is already nine years old. He’s the one who had the "only child" spotlight for six years before the floodgates opened. Then came Rio John, born in June 2023. Rio’s middle name is a tribute to Peta’s late father, Derek John Murgatroyd, who passed away in late 2022. It was a bittersweet arrival, to say the least.
But the real kicker? Just four months after Rio was born, Peta found out she was pregnant again. She’s called them her "Irish twins," and in July 2024, Milan Maksim joined the gang.
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By the time 2026 rolled around, Peta was open about the "utter chaos" of managing an 8-year-old, a toddler, and a baby. She’s admitted to feeling that typical "mom guilt" about splitting her time. When you’ve given one child 100% of your attention for six years, figuring out how to divide yourself into three pieces is a legitimate mental hurdle.
Why the Peta Murgatroyd Family Journey Hits Different
We need to talk about why people are so invested in this specific family. It isn't just because they’re famous dancers. It’s because Peta and Maks were brutally honest about how hard it was to get here.
Before Rio arrived, Peta went through three miscarriages. One of them happened while Maks was away in Ukraine, and she was alone with Shai. That kind of trauma doesn't just vanish because you eventually have more kids. She’s been a vocal advocate for IVF and fertility awareness, showing the side of celebrity life that isn't filtered or glamorous.
When she announced the third pregnancy so soon after the second, the internet collectively gasped. But for Peta, it felt like a gift after years of wondering if Shai would ever have a sibling.
The Extended Support System
You can't talk about this family without mentioning the "Dancing" dynasty. The support system is basically a pro-dancer convention.
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- Valentin Chmerkovskiy: Maks’s brother and the "fun uncle."
- Jenna Johnson: Peta’s sister-in-law and fellow DWTS pro.
- The Nanny: Peta has been refreshingly honest about having full-time help. She doesn't pretend she’s doing it all alone while looking runway-ready.
The bond between the "Chmerkovskiy Brothers" is legendary, and seeing their kids grow up together in a sort of dance-world bubble is what keeps fans hitting that "follow" button. They often spend holidays together, blending traditions—Maks and Val lean into New Year’s Eve celebrations from their Ukrainian roots, while Peta and Jenna bring the classic Christmas spirit.
Life Off the Dance Floor
So, what does a Tuesday look like for them? Probably a lot of coffee.
Peta has taken some time off from the show recently to focus on the "newborn stage" (well, the three-kids-under-eight stage). But she hasn't just been sitting around. Between her Peta Jane Beauty line and the sheer physical demand of chasing boys, she’s stayed busy.
Maks has been on "daddy duty" a lot lately, too. There’s this misconception that he’s just the "tough guy" from the early seasons of DWTS, but his social media shows a guy who is genuinely obsessed with his sons. Whether it's "playful kitchen experiments" involving too much flour or just lounging on the couch, the "tough" exterior has definitely melted into "girl-dad who ended up with three boys."
What Most People Get Wrong About Celebrity Parenting
People see the nice photos and think it’s easy. It’s not. Peta has talked about the mental toll of having "back-to-back" babies. It’s exhausting. It’s messy. Your body goes through a war zone.
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She’s shared the raw moments—the nights where nobody sleeps, the struggle to get back into "dancing shape," and the reality of a marriage that has to survive the "roommate phase" of early parenting.
Moving Forward in 2026
As of now, the couple seems to be "done" with expanding the brood. Three boys is a lot. Peta has mentioned she’s "ready to go back" to the ballroom when the timing is right, but her priority is clearly the trio of Chmerkovskiy boys.
The Peta Murgatroyd family is a testament to resilience. From the heartbreak of loss to the "beautiful chaos" of three sons, they’ve shown that even the most "perfect" looking people have to fight for their happy endings.
Next Steps for Fans and Parents:
- Follow the Journey: Peta is incredibly active on Instagram and TikTok, often sharing "unfiltered" mom moments that are way more relatable than you'd expect.
- Support Fertility Awareness: If you’ve been moved by her story, look into organizations like RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, which Peta has supported in the past.
- Prioritize Wellness: Check out her tanning and beauty line if you want that "just stepped off the ballroom floor" glow without the UV damage.
The biggest takeaway from Peta's story? It’s okay to be tired. It’s okay to ask for help. And sometimes, the most "unexpected" surprises in life turn out to be the ones that complete your family.