Greg Gutfeld Reflects on His Paternal Leave Experience, Finding Redemption and Wisdom in Fatherhood
Greg Gutfeld, the outspoken host of Gutfeld! on Fox News, recently opened up about his experience during his 46 days of paternal leave after the birth of his daughter, Mira. The candid reflection highlighted both humorous moments and deeper insights into fatherhood, family, and the shifting perspectives that come with the arrival of a child.
In an unexpected admission, Greg revealed that his wife, Elena, had once accused him of being “terrible at everything” related to babies. While the criticism might sting for some, Greg took it with humor, joking that the time off allowed him to engage in a variety of activities, including binge-watching television shows such as Yellowstone, Landsman, Lioness, and Sicario 2 — a sequel he found surprisingly better than the original.
But amid the laughter and light-heartedness, Greg also shared a profound realization about his past and the advice that shaped his approach to fatherhood. Reflecting on a piece of wisdom given to him by a friend, Greg said, “You know what, you can no longer regret anything before the baby.” This idea struck him deeply. Greg admitted that for years, he had carried regret over his life choices and behavior, but the birth of Mira provided a transformative perspective. He went on to say, “If things didn’t go this way, she never would have been,” acknowledging that all the decisions he made in the past — even those he regretted — ultimately led to the beautiful outcome of becoming a father.
In an emotional moment, Greg shared that this insight helped him shed 60 years of self-blame. He called himself a “selfish b—–d” for much of his earlier life but felt that becoming a father had liberated him from that guilt. The realization was a powerful one: sometimes, our past mistakes and flaws are the very things that make the future possible — in Greg’s case, the arrival of his daughter.
As he opened a gift bag and pulled out a Misfits onesie, Greg concluded, “It doesn’t matter because if I was just a little bit nicer, my baby wouldn’t be around.” His words, though lighthearted, reflected a deeper truth about the unpredictable nature of life and the way parenthood can reshape a person’s identity and values.
Greg’s paternal leave may have been filled with moments of leisure, television marathons, and humorous reflections, but it was also a time of personal growth. In his own unique way, he discovered that fatherhood had not only brought him a beautiful daughter but had also given him a fresh perspective on life, one that allowed him to embrace both his past and his future with newfound peace and gratitude.
This honest, and often humorous, account of Greg Gutfeld’s 46-day leave serves as a reminder that fatherhood isn’t just about changing diapers or sleepless nights; it’s about growth, self-reflection, and the life-altering transformation that comes when we embrace the unexpected joys and challenges of parenthood.