Kelly Dale Anderson: Meet Joni Mitchell’s Daughter After Years Apart

Joni Mitchell is one of the most famous singer-songwriters in the world. Her music has touched millions of hearts, with songs full of emotion, beauty, and truth. But behind her fame, there was a deep personal story that stayed hidden for many years — the story of her daughter, Kelly Dale Anderson.

Not many people knew that Joni Mitchell had a daughter she gave up for adoption. For more than 30 years, they lived separate lives, not knowing if they would ever meet again. But then, something truly special happened — a reunion that brought joy, healing, and love.

In this article, we’ll explore the life of Kelly Dale Anderson, also known as Kilauren Gibb. We’ll learn about her early life, why she was adopted, how she grew up, and how she finally reunited with her birth mother, Joni Mitchell. Let’s begin.

Kelly Dale Anderson Quick Bio

Who Is Kelly Dale Anderson?

Kelly Dale Anderson is the only child of Joni Mitchell, born on February 19, 1965, in Toronto, Canada. When she was just a baby, she was placed for adoption and raised by another family. Her name was later changed to Kilauren Gibb.

For many years, no one in the public knew about her. But behind the scenes, her story was filled with emotions — love, loss, and eventually, reunion. She is now known as the daughter who Joni Mitchell kept secret for decades but never forgot.

Why Joni Mitchell Gave Her Daughter Up for Adoption

At the time of her pregnancy, Joni Mitchell was only 20 years old and a college student. She didn’t have much money. Her boyfriend, Brad MacMath, left and moved to California. Her parents also didn’t know she was pregnant, and she had no support.

Back in the 1960s, being an unmarried mother was seen as a scandal. Joni once said, “The stigma was so strong — it was like you murdered someone.” She tried to find a way to keep her baby. She even married a folk singer, Chuck Mitchell, just to give the child a home. But the marriage didn’t last, and she was left alone again.

With no money, no family support, and no options, Joni had to make a heartbreaking decision — she gave her baby girl up for adoption. That baby was Kelly Dale Anderson.

The Adoption of Kelly Dale Anderson

At eight months old, Kelly was adopted by David and Ida Gibb, a kind and educated couple from Toronto. They were both teachers and already had a son named David Jr. They raised Kelly as their own and gave her a new name — Kilauren Gibb.

Her new family gave her a good life. She grew up in a safe home, went to good schools, and had many opportunities. For many years, she didn’t know anything about her adoption or about Joni Mitchell.

Even though they changed her name, the past couldn’t stay hidden forever.

Kelly Dale Anderson’s Childhood and Upbringing

Kelly grew up in a quiet Toronto suburb called Don Mills. Her home was filled with love, books, and learning. Her adoptive parents gave her a stable and comfortable life. She even went to private schools, like The Bishop Strachan School, and was surrounded by art, music, and education.

But there was always a feeling that something didn’t quite add up. Kelly once said that when she looked at the family photo albums, there were no pictures of her before she was eight months old. Her mother would say things like, “The camera wasn’t working,” or “You were the second child, so we didn’t take as many photos.” But deep down, Kelly always felt something was missing.

How Kelly Dale Anderson Found Out the Truth

Everything changed when Kelly turned 27. She was pregnant with her first child and asked her parents more questions about her past. That’s when they finally told her the truth — she had been adopted as a baby.

It was a big shock, but it also answered many of her questions. It helped her understand why her baby pictures started late and why she had always felt something was missing.

After learning the truth, Kelly decided she wanted to find her birth mother. She didn’t know who it was yet, but she was ready to begin her search.

The Reunion of Joni Mitchell and Her Daughter

Meanwhile, something unexpected happened on Joni Mitchell’s side. In 1993, one of her old roommates told a tabloid about Joni’s secret daughter. Joni felt hurt and betrayed. But this news also brought the secret out into the open.

In 1996, Joni shared in an interview that she hoped to find her daughter someday. That’s when a loyal fan named Wally Breese made a website to help find her. He wanted to help match Joni with her real daughter — and it worked.

In 1997, after more than 30 years apart, Kelly Dale Anderson and Joni Mitchell finally reunited. They spoke on the phone, then met in person. Kelly brought her young son Marlin to visit Joni in Los Angeles. It was a powerful and emotional moment for both of them.

Joni said, “I’ve had joy and pain in my life, but nothing like this.” Kelly said, “It made me feel complete.”

Kelly Dale Anderson’s Life After Reunion

After their emotional reunion in 1997, Kelly Dale Anderson and her birth mother, Joni Mitchell, began building a real relationship. It wasn’t always perfect, but they worked to understand each other. They had missed over 30 years together, so there was a lot to talk about and learn.

They found out they had many things in common. Both loved art, music, and even had similar styles. They shared a strong personality too. Kelly once said she felt like something inside her finally clicked — like a missing puzzle piece was found.

Even though they didn’t share her story with the media much after that, they stayed connected. Their bond was quiet but meaningful.

Did Kelly Dale Anderson Meet Her Real Father?

Yes, she did. After reuniting with Joni, Kelly also met her biological father — Brad MacMath. He was a young student when Joni became pregnant, but he wasn’t ready to be a parent and had moved to California.

Years later, when he met Kelly as an adult, he was surprised but happy. He said it felt amazing to suddenly have a grown daughter and a grandson. Brad had two other children from different relationships, so Kelly also discovered that she had half-siblings.

It was like a whole new family had opened up for her.

Joni Mitchell’s Song “Little Green” About Her Daughter

Back in the 1960s, shortly after Kelly was adopted, Joni wrote a song called “Little Green.” It was one of the most emotional songs on her famous album Blue.

In the song, Joni sings about a young woman giving up her baby. She describes the deep sadness, the paperwork, and the hope that the child will have a good life. At the time, fans didn’t know what the song was really about. It sounded personal, but the real meaning stayed hidden.

Years later, after reuniting with her daughter, Joni told her the song was written for her. Kelly said the lyrics were “so cryptic” that she would have never known it was about her. But once she knew, the song took on a whole new meaning.

Kelly Dale Anderson’s Career and Education

Kelly Dale Anderson, now known as Kilauren Gibb, had a successful life before she ever knew about her famous roots. She studied at top schools like The Bishop Strachan School, University of Toronto, and even took classes at Harvard University in drama and psychology.

She also worked as a fashion model for over 13 years. In 1983, she even appeared on the cover of Chatelaine magazine, a well-known Canadian publication.

Her interest in acting, music, and art seems to run in the family. She had followed a creative path long before she found out who her real mother was.

Kelly Dale Anderson’s Family and Children

Kelly is now a mother herself. She has two children — a son named Marlin Kohler, and a daughter named Daisy Gibb. Her son Marlin was just three years old when they visited Joni Mitchell for the first time in Los Angeles.

Over the years, both of her children have been seen at events with their grandmother, especially Marlin. Kelly once said she was happy with how she grew up and felt thankful to her adoptive parents for giving her a stable and loving home.

She is also married, but her husband’s name has been kept private.

Where Is Kelly Dale Anderson Now?

As of 2025, Kelly Dale Anderson lives a quiet and private life. She doesn’t appear in the public eye much, and she doesn’t use social media actively. She seems to enjoy living away from fame and attention.

There have been false rumors online about her death, but these are not true. No official report or trusted source has confirmed any such news. She is alive and simply values her privacy.

There is also no confirmed information about her net worth. Her mother, Joni Mitchell, has an estimated net worth of $150 million, but it’s unclear how much of that, if any, has been passed on to Kelly.

Final Section

The story of Kelly Dale Anderson, Joni Mitchell’s daughter, is one of the most emotional real-life journeys in music history. From being adopted as a baby to finding out the truth as an adult, Kelly went through a lot. But in the end, she found her birth mother, met her father, and built a life full of love and family.

Joni Mitchell once said, “It left a hole in me that I didn’t fill until the day I saw her again.” That hole was filled in 1997 when Kelly and Joni reunited.

Their story reminds us that even after years apart, love can find its way back. Sometimes, life writes the best songs — not with music, but with moments that heal the heart.

Read next: The Untold Story of Marilyn Kroc Barg: Ray Kroc’s Forgotten Daughter