Tom Selleck, who rarely shares his family life with the public, recently appeared at an event with his daughter. The appearance offered a rare glimpse of Tom’s private world, showing his daughter’s transformation from a young girl to an accomplished woman.
When Tom Selleck’s daughter, Hannah, was born, he made a choice that would shape both of their lives. Rather than keeping her in Hollywood, he and his wife moved to a quiet ranch, giving Hannah a grounded upbringing far from the public eye.
Raised in the wide-open spaces of the family ranch, Hannah grew up surrounded by nature and animals. This simple, down-to-earth lifestyle would play a big role in shaping who she is today.
A Life-Altering Career Decision for Family
In the late 1980s, Tom was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, thanks to his role in “Magnum P.I.” But even with his fame, he and his wife, Jillie Mack, wanted a private life for their family. Tom met Jillie in London while she was performing in the musical “Cats,” a show he reportedly saw over a dozen times.
After they married in 1987, they welcomed their daughter, Hannah, the following year. Wanting to focus on his family, Tom made a big decision. He stepped back from acting, even leaving “Magnum P.I.” while it was still at the height of its popularity.
Tom Selleck rose to fame in the ’80s as detective Magnum in the CBS television show, “Magnum P.I.” | Source: Getty Images
Tom kept his personal life carefully shielded from the spotlight. | Source: Getty Images
Tom surprised many by stepping away from acting to spend more time with his wife, Jillie Mack, and their daughter. | Source: Getty Images
Tom and his wife, Jillie, chose a quiet life, away from the spotlight. | Source: Getty Images
Tom built a successful career in Hollywood, but his biggest priority has always been his family. | Source: Getty Images
His decision was driven by an incident when Hannah was hospitalized with viral pneumonia as a toddler. Not long after, he turned down other major roles, including one in the 1992 movie “Christopher Columbus: The Discovery” alongside Marlon Brando.
Instead of staying in Hollywood, he and Jillie bought a 65-acre ranch in Ventura County, California, where they could raise Hannah. Reflecting on this choice, Tom said, “I wanted a three-dimensional life because I didn’t have one,” adding, “It wasn’t worth it. It was never going to be worth it.”
Jillie shared her husband’s perspective, saying that living on a ranch was “the best environment for [Hannah] to grow up.” Fans noticed their commitment to family and admired young Hannah from afar, noting how she seemed to thrive in the life her parents had chosen.
From Ranch Life to Riding Glory: Hannah’s Path to Equestrian Success
Growing up on her family’s ranch, Hannah fell in love with horses early on, with her father encouraging her interest. Tom, who learned to ride for his roles in Western movies, shared his skills and knowledge, making horsemanship a special bond between father and daughter.
By age ten, Hannah was competing in the show ring, where she quickly made a name for herself in the equestrian world. During her junior career, she earned a team silver medal at the 2005 Prix des States Junior Jumper National Championship.
The following year, she won another silver in the junior division of the 2006 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. Her successes continued, and in 2007, she was named the United States Equestrian Federation Hunt Medal Finals Reserve Champion.
A year later, she took home the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – West award. She also earned both individual and team gold medals in the Young Rider division of the 2008 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships.
In July 2023, Wellington International highlighted Hannah’s achievements in a special feature, discussing how her parents’ early support shaped her path in equestrianism. Her parents’ encouragement played a big part in her accomplishments, as they provided a strong foundation for her passion and growth in the sport.
Reflecting on her childhood, Hannah once said, “I started riding when I was four years old. I grew up on a ranch and was lucky to have some lovely ranch horses. My dad knew how to ride. He is a good horseman.”
Academic Achievements and Career Choices
Alongside her passion for horses, Hannah pursued a solid academic path. In 2007, she enrolled at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where she studied communications and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2011.
While many might assume she would dive right into an equestrian career, Hannah initially tried to pursue a different path. After graduation, she accepted a position in public relations, but the role turned out to be a struggle.
From the moment Hannah Selleck was born, Tom made family his top priority. | Source: Getty Images
Tom’s decision to pause his career helped shape the close bond he shares with his daughter. | Source: Getty Images
Tom wanted Hannah to grow up with a strong sense of family and nature. | Source: Getty Images
From a young age, Hannah developed a deep connection to the outdoors. | Source: Getty Images
This simple, down-to-earth upbringing would play a big role in shaping who she is today. | Source: Getty Images
“When I finished college, I thought I might want a career that would support me to ride at a high level as an amateur,” she shared in a 2015 interview. She interned at a PR firm in Beverly Hills for about six months. However, the limited time she had with her horses left her feeling unsatisfied.
“That was the first time that I had been away from the horses, and I was miserable,” she explained, recalling how she only managed to ride on weekends. Realizing her true passion lay in a career with horses, she left PR and returned to the equestrian world full-time.
In January 2023, she completed her MBA from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School. This advanced degree has allowed her to combine her business knowledge with her equestrian expertise. It set her up to succeed not only as a competitor but also as an entrepreneur in the horse industry.
Tom and Jillie felt that life on the ranch was the best choice for their family. | Source: Getty Images
Jillie believed it was the best environment for Hannah to grow up. | Source: Getty Images
While Hannah’s life is largely centered around horses, she has also ventured into other fields.. | Source: Getty Images
Alongside her equestrian career, Hannah has modeled for various brands, especially those that align with her active lifestyle. | Source: Getty Images
Founding Descanso Farms: A Family Legacy
Driven by her passion for horses and equipped with both equestrian and business experience, Hannah founded Descanso Farms in 2010. Named as a tribute to her family’s Rancho de Descanso, meaning “Ranch of Rest,” Descanso Farms became her space to breed, raise, and train top-quality show horses.
Starting with foals from her former grand prix mare, Tosca van het Lambroeck, Hannah focused on developing young horses to reach their peak potential. SheFF is committed to meticulous training and care, ensuring that each horse is prepared for competition at the highest levels.
In addition to competing with Descanso Farms horses, she also leases them to other riders, sharing her carefully developed horses with equestrian athletes who seek competitive partners. Hannah’s involvement in equine welfare extends beyond her farm as well.
She serves as an ambassador for Brooke USA, an organization dedicated to improving the welfare of horses, donkeys, and mules worldwide.
