Sarah Michelle Gellar faces backlash over daughter's lavish 16th birthday gift

Sarah Michelle Gellar is facing online backlash after celebrating her daughter Charlotte's 16th birthday with a public post that included a brand-new Jeep topped with a red bow. The Instagram caption, in which Gellar describes Charlotte as strong, inspiring, kind and funny and one of a kind, accompanied a carousel of photos, including the vehicle gift. "16 years ago today, you made me a mom. I believe the quote is … a daughter is just a little girl who grows up to be your best friend. Charlotte, you are that and so much more," Gellar wrote on Instagram, alongside a carousel of photos. "You are strong, you are inspiring, you are kind, you are funny (almost as funny as me 😉) and most importantly you are one of a kind, the best kind. I'm so lucky to call you my best friend. And I’m equally excited to finally be your passenger PRINZEss."

Reaction to the post was swift and varied. Some commenters pressed concerns about the optics and environmental impact, with remarks such as, "Really great choice of first car for the planet.. go burn loads of fuel on roads with your off road 4x4!," and "My son had to work hard and save up to buy his first car, like myself and my wife," followed by, "This is ridiculous for a 16 yr old." Others defended the family, arguing that money and gifts are a private matter for parents and their children, with notes like, "If her parents want to buy a car for her birthday, let them" and, "This is a nice wholesome post. Figures all the jealous, bitter people would find a way to be upset. We need to normalize not being petty and jealous that someone has what you don’t." Representatives for Gellar did not respond to requests for comment.

The moment comes amid broader context about Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr.’s family life. The couple, who wed in 2002, share two children: Charlotte, 16, and Rocky, 13. Gellar and Prinze Jr. met while filming the 1997 thriller I Know What You Did Last Summer, though they began dating three years later. Their relationship has long been cited by fans as a high-profile example of a harmonious marriage in Hollywood, a narrative Gellar touched on publicly earlier this year.

In a recent high-profile interview, Gellar offered a candid look at the factors she believes contribute to lasting romance. Appearing on Today With Jenna and Friends, she described a straightforward secret to a long marriage: separate bathrooms. "Separate bathrooms!" she said, framing the quip as a practical way to preserve harmony. Hosts were taken aback, but the actress replied that the idea is simple in practice and effective in daily life. The comment reinforced a public image of a practical, low-drama partnership.

The back-and-forth over the birthday gift also echoes a broader conversation about parenting, finances and the visibility of family milestones in the digital age. Gellar’s post, which included the Jeep and the heartfelt tribute to Charlotte, followed a year in which she reflected publicly on the pressures of modern relationships and the need for effort and compromise to sustain them. In a December 2024 interview with Fox News Digital, she attributed the high divorce rate in America to shifting societal norms and a perceived disposability of commitments, noting that people often replace rather than repair. She emphasized that personal relationships, whether friendships or marriages, require ongoing work.

Charlotte’s celebration and the accompanying commentary arrive as fans and observers continue to dissect how celebrities raise and reward their children in a public forum. Some viewers frame gifts like a brand-new vehicle as a natural extension of parental support and celebration of milestones, while others argue that extravagant presents can set expectations or contribute to environmental concerns. The discourse underscores the complexities of parenting in the spotlight, where every post can become a topic of public scrutiny and conversation about responsibility, privilege and values.

Gellar’s public profile extends beyond her family life. Her career, which includes iconic roles in film and television, continues to influence audiences, while her statements about marriage and relationships spark renewed interest in the private choices she and Prinze Jr. make as a couple and as parents. As the family navigates a highly visible life, fans and critics alike will likely monitor future posts for signals about their approach to parenting, money, and the balance between public attention and private life.