Sandra Bullock revealed to PEOPLE magazine that she and her estranged husband, Jesse James, adopted a baby boy in January and that, in the wake of allegations of James’ infidelity, the Oscar-winning actress has filed for divorce and plans to raise the 3 1/2-month old child as a single mother.
Larry Hackett, managing editor of PEOPLE, told Meredith Vieira Wednesday morning on TODAY that Bullock reached out to the magazine to tell the story of the baby's adoption and to discuss her marriage.
The baby, whose name is Louis (pronounced Lew-ee) Bardo Bullock, was born in New Orleans. Bullock told PEOPLE she chose that name because she heard Louis Armstrong's song “What A Wonderful World” playing in her head when she first saw him.
Bullock said she was blind-sided by the news of James’ infidelity and, while feeling “sad and scared,” is filing for divorce and is finalizing Louis’ adoption as a “single parent.”
Bullock and James reportedly began the adoption process 4 years ago after James' daughter, Sunny, suggested they adopt a baby. The couple found out they had been matched with Louis in January, just as awards season was beginning.
Bullock told PEOPLE she didn't want the baby pulled into “the awards season energy” and after she brought him home she kept virtually all visitors out of her home, including stylists and make-up artists working with her for the awards.
Bullock reached the pinnacle of her profession on March 7, when she won an Academy Award for best actress for her work in “The Blind Side.” James was by her side and even teared up when she went on stage to accept the Oscar.
As for James’ infidelity, Bullock tells People that she had no idea until the day she got the call. Her next step after finding out about the news, was to pack a bag and get herself and Louis out of her house “before the vultures descend.”
“I really don’t know how our paths will intersect in the future, but that father I have known Jesse to be … is one that I hope Louis can experience one day, no matter how Jesse and I go on with our lives.”
Bullock had been involved in parenting James’ three kids from previous marriages, and told People that she couldn’t imagine her life without them, and the plan is for them to co-parent.
People received a statement from James, in which he seems remorseful and hopeful about reconciliation. “I know in my heart that I can be the best father possible to my four children and the mate Sandy deserves, and realize that this is an incredible mountain to climb. But I believe the steps I have taken in the last 30 days are the foundation to making this happen.”
As McGee's claims went public, Bullock canceled a planned appearance at the London premiere of “The Blind Side,” citing "unforeseen personal reasons."
On March 18, James issued an apology to Bullock and his children. In a statement given to PEOPLE, he said, “There is only one person to blame for this whole situation, and that is me. It's because of my poor judgment that I deserve everything bad that is coming my way.
“This has caused my wife and kids pain and embarrassment beyond comprehension and I am extremely saddened to have brought this on them. I am truly very sorry for the grief I have caused them. I hope one day they can find it in their hearts to forgive me.”
Bullock remained quiet about her marriage until April 6 when she issued a statement to PEOPLE denying an Internet report there's a sex tape with her and James.
“There is no sex tape,” she said in the statement. “There never has been one and there never will be one.”
There was no sex tape, but a picture of James in Nazi garb came to light. As for that photo, Bullock told PEOPLE the photo was stupid and ignorant and did not reflect the man she married. “Racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, sexism, anything Nazi and a boatload of other things have no place in my life,” Bullock told PEOPLE. “And the man I married felt the same way.”
According to Hackett, Bullock was far from bitter in her interview. In fact, she sees the entire experience as perhaps, a positive lesson.
“Maybe I needed this to happen so I could be the best mother to Louis. We wouldn’t know the sweet moments in life unless we had the pain,” she said. “And painfully, I’m going to miss so much.”