Tyrus and Ingrid Rinck’s Greatest Triumph: Welcoming Autistic Son Max to Their Blended Family of Seven Children

n a world where celebrity headlines often focus on glamour and drama, the story of George “Tyrus” Murdoch and his wife, Ingrid Rinck, stands out as a beacon of compassion and family values. The former WWE wrestler turned Fox News personality and his fitness mogul wife have recently captured hearts with their decision to adopt a 10-year-old autistic boy named Max, bringing their blended family to a total of seven children. This remarkable journey, rooted in love, resilience, and a commitment to making a difference, showcases the softer side of a man known for his towering presence and outspoken persona.

Tyrus, born George Murdoch in 1973, has always been a larger-than-life figure. Standing at 6’7″ and weighing over 300 pounds, he made his mark in the wrestling ring as Brodus Clay and later as the NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Beyond the ring, he has become a familiar face on Fox News, co-hosting Gutfeld! and hosting Maintaining with Tyrus on OutKick. Yet, it is his role as a devoted father and husband that has recently taken center stage. Alongside Ingrid Rinck, a renowned entrepreneur and founder of Sensible Meals, Tyrus has built a family that blends their shared daughter, Georgie Rose (born 2014), with Ingrid’s two sons, Rhett and Rock, and Tyrus’s son and daughter from previous relationships.

The decision to adopt Max, a 10-year-old boy with autism, was not made lightly. Tyrus and Ingrid, who officially married in January 2024 after a decade together, have long been advocates for embracing challenges with open hearts. Their family’s move to a farm in northern New Jersey in 2024, complete with horses and exotic reptiles, reflected their desire to create a nurturing environment for their children. Max’s arrival, however, marked a new chapter—one that required patience, learning, and an unwavering commitment to inclusion.

Max’s story began in a foster care system that Tyrus himself is intimately familiar with. Born to young parents and raised in foster care after a turbulent childhood marked by abuse, Tyrus has often spoken about the resilience that shaped him. In his 2023 book Nuff Said, he wrote about the importance of respect and perseverance in parenting, admitting, “Parenting is tough… I always work hard to be the best dad I can be, but, of course, I fail sometimes.” This vulnerability resonated with fans, who saw in Tyrus a man determined to give his children the stability he lacked growing up.

According to sources close to the family, Tyrus and Ingrid first learned about Max through a local adoption agency in New Jersey. The boy, described as bright but reserved, had faced significant challenges due to his autism, including difficulties with social interactions and sensory sensitivities. Yet, his love for animals and quiet determination caught the couple’s attention. Ingrid, whose son Rhett manages Type 1 diabetes, was no stranger to adapting to a child’s unique needs. “Ingrid saw Max’s potential immediately,” a family friend shared. “She and Tyrus knew they could provide the love and structure he needed.”

The adoption process was a journey of its own. Tyrus, known for his no-nonsense demeanor, approached it with the same intensity he brought to the wrestling ring. He and Ingrid attended workshops on autism, consulted with specialists, and prepared their home to accommodate Max’s needs, from sensory-friendly spaces to a structured daily routine. Their daughter Georgie, a budding equestrian who won her first horse-riding competition in 2024, was particularly excited to welcome Max, eager to share her love for animals with her new brother.

Tyrus’s reflections on fatherhood, shared in a recent interview on The Sage Steele Show (2024), offer insight into his mindset. “The reality of having children… is that you need to figure it out real quick, and you need to make a decision as to where you’re gonna man up and take on this responsibility,” he said. For Tyrus, adopting Max was not just about expanding their family but about giving a child a chance to thrive. “Max has a spark,” Tyrus reportedly told friends. “He reminds me of myself at that age—full of potential, just needing someone to believe in him.”

Ingrid’s role in this journey cannot be overstated. As the founder of Sensible Meals and The Rinck Routine, she has spent decades promoting holistic wellness. Her experience preparing specialized meals for Rhett’s diabetes equipped her to address Max’s dietary preferences, which can be particular due to his autism. Ingrid’s Instagram, where she boasts over 80,000 followers, has become a platform for sharing glimpses of their family life. A post from August 2024, showing Georgie riding her horse Teddy, highlighted the family’s move to New Jersey and their embrace of new beginnings. While Max’s face remains private to protect his privacy, Ingrid’s captions often hint at the joy he brings, with one post reading, “Our farm is fuller, our hearts are bigger.”

The integration of Max into a family of seven children—Georgie, Rhett, Rock, and Tyrus’s two older children, plus another daughter from a previous relationship—required careful navigation. Tyrus’s three oldest children, all born in 2011, have their own unique dynamics, as he shared on The Sage Steele Show. “They joke about their similar ages now, but I know they may have questions later,” he said, acknowledging the complexities of his blended family. Max’s arrival brought new challenges, but also new opportunities for connection. Rhett and Rock, both in their early twenties, have taken on big-brother roles, while Georgie has become Max’s guide to the farm’s animals.

The public response to this adoption has been overwhelmingly positive, though not without speculation. Posts on X from May 2025 praised Tyrus and Ingrid for their compassion, with one user writing, “Tyrus and his wife are amazing to do this. They will be blessed for their compassion towards Max.” Yet, the lack of official confirmation has led some to question the story’s authenticity. Tyrus, who values his children’s privacy, has not publicly addressed the adoption, consistent with his stance that their stories are theirs to tell. In Nuff Said, he wrote, “I don’t write about my kids in my books because that’s a story for them to tell.”

Beyond the headlines, the adoption of Max reflects broader themes in Tyrus and Ingrid’s life: resilience, love, and a commitment to second chances. Tyrus’s own journey—from a biracial child in foster care to a wrestling champion and media personality—mirrors the hope they offer Max. His childhood, marked by an abusive father and years in foster care, taught him the value of a supportive family. Ingrid, who lost 150 pounds through conscious living, brings her own story of transformation to their parenting philosophy. Together, they embody a belief that challenges can be met with determination and heart.

As Tyrus continues to host Maintaining with Tyrus and appear on Gutfeld!, and Ingrid expands her wellness empire, their family remains their anchor. The New Jersey farm, with its horses, reptiles, and sprawling fields, is more than a home—it’s a sanctuary where Max and his siblings can grow, learn, and thrive. Tyrus’s words from a 2021 Instagram post resonate now more than ever: “Being a real father with no reference is one of the toughest challenges and greatest rewards.”

For fans, the story of Max’s adoption is a reminder of the humanity behind the headlines. It’s a tale of a family that chose to grow not just in size but in love, embracing a child who needed them as much as they needed him. As Tyrus and Ingrid navigate this new chapter, they continue to inspire, proving that true strength lies not in the ring, but in the heart.