Buddy Valastro's 4 Kids: All About Sofia, Buddy Jr., Marco and Carlo

'Cake Boss' star Buddy Valastro shares four kids with his wife Lisa

Buddy Valastro isn’t just the Cake Boss, he’s also a dad to four kids: Sofia, Buddy Jr., Marco and Carlo.

The star of TLC’s Cake Boss and his wife Lisa, whom he married in 2001, started their family in 2003 with the birth of their daughter Sofia. Buddy Jr. followed the year after and the couple welcomed Marco in 2007. The family's youngest, Carlo, was born in 2011.

Buddy has shared his pride for his children over the years.

“I have a lot of accomplishments. I am not bragging, but I have done a lot of good stuff, but my biggest accomplishment is my kids and my family,” the baker told Life of Dad in 2016.

Buddy, who began working at Carlo’s Bakery when he was 11, has shared that his children want to follow in his footsteps. "They all really want to come into the family business. And I want them to. I really am excited to see the next generation take over," he told PEOPLE in 2022. "But I never want to force them. I want them to do it because they love it."

As a first step in their TV careers, Sofia, Buddy Jr., Marco and Carlo were featured in their dad’s A&E show, Buddy Valastro's Cake Dynasty, which premiered in November 2023.

Here’s everything to know about Buddy Valastro’s kids: Sofia, Buddy Jr., Marco and Carlo.

Sofia Valastro, 21

Buddy and Lisa welcomed their first child and only daughter, Sofia, on April 23, 2003.

“The best moment was when my daughter was born,” Buddy told Life of Dad and recalled crying “like a baby” on the special day. “I thought of her whole life and what I wanted for her,” he admitted. “I wanted to just be there for her.”

Buddy spoke again about his emotions when Sofia was born during his speech at her sweet 16 party in 2019. The birthday girl wore a beaded princess gown for the celebration and designed her own cake.

“No matter how big she gets, she will always be my little girl,” Buddy wrote on Instagram at the time.

Sofia graduated from high school in 2021 and Buddy revealed that his daughter had committed to the University of Delaware.

There, Sofia met her boyfriend Anthony Machion in an economics class and he has since earned Buddy’s stamp of approval. Although the celebrity chef is protective of Sofia, he told PEOPLE in 2023 that his daughter is “no pushover.”

“I couldn’t be prouder of my daughter,” Buddy said. “I don’t worry too much about her. She’s a strong, independent, wonderful young woman."

Buddy Jr. Valastro, 19

Buddy and Lisa welcomed his namesake, Buddy Jr., on Sept. 27, 2004. The chef has called Buddy Jr. his “clone” and “ mini-me" on Instagram.

On his 18th birthday in 2022, the Cake Boss praised Buddy Jr. on Instagram for the “confident, strong, and caring young man” he was growing into.

Apart from knowing how to make a pizza and decorate a cake, Buddy Jr. is also athletic. According to Morristown Beard School, he played soccer, football, ice hockey and lacrosse.

Buddy posted a photo on Instagram in February 2023 of his son dressed in hockey gear. He captioned the picture, “Hockey players have fire in their hearts and ice in their veins, we are proud of you and love you @buddyvalastrojr_.”

When Buddy Jr. was in his senior year, his father revealed to PEOPLE that he was “struggling with deciding" whether or not to go to college. At the time, Buddy said, “He wants to just come into the business, which we’re back and forth on that.”

Buddy Jr. graduated from high school in June 2023. The TLC star celebrated the milestone on Instagram, writing, “Your hard work and determination have paid off, and we couldn't be prouder. As you take this important step forward, remember to chase your dreams fearlessly and embrace every opportunity that comes your way.”

He continued, “Know that we are always here to support and guide you. The future holds great things for you, and I can't wait to see what you'll achieve.”

Buddy revealed on Instagram in November 2023 that his eldest son was attending Syracuse University.

Marco Valastro, 17

Buddy and Lisa’s family grew again on Feb. 26, 2007, with the birth of their “blue eyed boy,” Marco.

Like his older brother, Marco is athletic and plays football and lacrosse. Sports aren't his only hobby, though.

While his father is the Cake Boss, Marco seems to be the steak boss at home. In 2020, Buddy shared a video of his second son preparing his “famous filet mignon” with a red wine sauce.

"Hi, I'm Marco Valastro and I love to cook steak,” he said to the camera. At the end of the clip, Buddy said, "I gotta tell you, this guy's pretty good.”

The celebrity chef also told PEOPLE in 2022 that Marco “definitely got the gift of gab.”

The Cake Boss: Stories and Recipes from Mia Famiglia author celebrated Marco’s 17th birthday in 2024. "Watching you grow into the incredible man you are today has been the greatest joy," the doting dad wrote on Instagram. "Proud is an understatement. We love you so much!"

Carlo Salvatore Valastro, 13

Buddy became a dad for the fourth time on Feb. 14, 2011, when he and Lisa welcomed Carlo Salvatore.

“We feel so blessed to welcome a healthy new baby into our family,” the baker told PEOPLE after his son’s arrival.

The couple named their youngest child after Carlo Guastaffero, whom Buddy’s father bought the bakery from, and Sal Picinich, who worked there for more than four decades and whom Buddy considered a second father.

During an episode of the What's Up Cuz podcast in 2023, Carlo revealed that he would like to own a restaurant when he’s older. On the podcast, his mom complimented his culinary skills, saying he, like his older brother, “makes a really good steak.”

Though he dreams of having an authentic Italian restaurant one day, Carlo is taking the time to learn more about his family's business. In 2023, Buddy shared a photo of himself on Facebook helping Carlo frost a cake, which he captioned: “Teaching my son Carlo what it takes to be the #cakeboss.”

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