In a touching display of sisterly love, Dakota Fanning recently celebrated the 28th birthday of her younger sister, Elle Fanning, with a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. The 32-year-old actress posted a nostalgic black-and-white photo of the two at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2026, accompanied by a loving message. Dakota remarked, “will always be one of the first, and greatest loves of my life. happy birthday @ellefanning,” showcasing their close bond.
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In the photo, Elle is elegantly dressed in a black strapless Givenchy creation, accented by a sophisticated bow, while Dakota dazzles in a glittering gown by Zuhair Murad. The image captures the sisters embracing, both radiating joy amidst the glamorous surroundings of the Oscar event.
Dakota’s affection for her sister is evident throughout the message, which concluded with a sweet nod to Elle’s helpfulness, as she acknowledged, “thank you for sneaking B12 into the tea that you make me. I love you more than could be imagined.” Elle responded to the tribute with a simple, heartfelt, “❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️,” affirming the warmth of their relationship.

On her own Instagram account, Elle commemorated her birthday by sharing a delightful throwback video capturing a surprise celebration from the previous year on the set of her Apple TV series, *Margo’s Got Money Troubles*. The charming clip features Elle entering a room while the cast and crew sing “Happy Birthday” to her. A cake, inscribed with “Happy Birthday Elle,” is wheeled in, and Elle, who holds a fake baby in the video, blows out her birthday candles with a smile.

*Margo’s Got Money Troubles* is based on Rufi Thorpe’s novel and follows the story of Margo Millet, portrayed by Elle. In the series, Margo navigates life after becoming pregnant by her college professor and eventually turns to creating an OnlyFans account to support herself and her child. In addition to starring in the show, both sisters serve as executive producers alongside an impressive cast that includes Nick Offerman, Michelle Pfeiffer, Greg Kinnear, and Thaddea Graham.
As 2027 approaches, Elle remains busy. In addition to *Margo’s Got Money Troubles*, she is set to feature in *The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping* and will star alongside Dakota in the film adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s novel, *The Nightingale*. This film not only signifies a new project for both sisters but also marks the first time they will share the screen together, portraying sisters amidst a historical backdrop of World War II.
Addressing the unique dynamic of acting together, Elle expressed her excitement, stating, “I think we’re going to have to be fellow actors on set. But, of course, we are playing sisters in the film that we’re going to be working on together,” indicating that their relationship would likely influence their performances. Dakota echoed Elle’s enthusiasm, admitting she felt “nervous but excited” and reflected on their individual journeys as actors.
In her interview with Byrdie, Dakota recalled a phase when both she and Elle were intentional about establishing their individual careers. “For a while, [Elle and I] were very conscious of carving our own paths and being really selective about the things that we did together,” she noted. However, the sisters have now reached a point where they feel free from pressure to differentiate their artistic identities, allowing for a natural collaboration.
Fans will soon witness this collaboration, as Elle’s *Margo’s Got Money Troubles* is set to premiere on Apple TV+ on April 15, with Dakota’s latest film *The Sun Never Sets* having debuted at the South by Southwest festival in March. Meanwhile, *The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping* is scheduled for release in theatres on November 20, promising an exciting year ahead for both actresses.
As they navigate their careers while forging deeper connections with one another, the Fanning sisters continue to inspire their audience not just through their professional achievements but also through their unwavering support and love for each other. Their journey serves as a reminder of the importance of family ties, especially in the high-pressure world of show business.
