Salman Rushdie has something to celebrate as the birth of his son Zafar’s second daughter was announced on Instagram on Sunday night.
Natalie, 37, and Zaf, 44, have welcomed their second child – they are already parents to daughter Rose, three -and took to Instagram to share an image of the newborn, whose name they are yet to reveal.
Singer Natalie wrote: ’10 little fingers and 10 little toes bringing our little family so much happiness, love and joy.’
The news comes two years after Salman also faced a near-death experience.
The award-winning author, 77, was stabbed as many as ten times on stage as he prepared to give a lecture in New York that August, and lost an eye and the use of one hand.
![Salman Rushdie Overjoyed as he Welcomes New Grandchild! Natalie and Zafar share news of second daughter’s arrival, two years after knife attack. Salman Rushdie Overjoyed as he Welcomes New Grandchild! Natalie and Zafar share news of second daughter’s arrival, two years after knife attack.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/29/11/84212761-13361837-Joy_for_Salman_Rushdie_right_as_he_welcomes_a_new_grandchild_Nat-a-68_1714385686174.jpg)
Joy for Salman Rushdie, (right) as he welcomes a new grandchild! Natalie and his son Zafar have announced the arrival of their second daughter – two years after the novelist’s knife attack
![Salman Rushdie Overjoyed as he Welcomes New Grandchild! Natalie and Zafar share news of second daughter's arrival, two years after knife attack. 3 Natalie shared this sweet picture of her daughter's feet on Sunday - the family are yet to reveal her name](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/29/11/84212585-13361837-image-a-69_1714385691908.jpg)
Natalie shared this sweet picture of her daughter’s feet on Sunday – the family are yet to reveal her name
![Salman Rushdie Overjoyed as he Welcomes New Grandchild! Natalie and Zafar share news of second daughter's arrival, two years after knife attack. 5 She shared this sweet caption alongside the post](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/29/11/84212587-0-image-m-57_1714385388726.jpg)
She shared this sweet caption alongside the post
The British-American novelist had to be put on a ventilator in hospital for six weeks following the frenzied attack.
The suspect, Hadi Matar, has been charged with attempted murder. He pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail.
It’s certainly been a tough few years for the family, with Natalie spending 12 days in hospital ‘fighting for her life’ with Covid in 2021.
Natalie previously admitted her baby news ‘felt like a new chapter’.
Speaking to HELLO! magazine at the time, Natalie confessed: ‘It’s nice to have a positive lovely thing to look forward to. The whole family have experienced turmoil over the last couple of years.’
Zafar also revealed the news of becoming a grandfather again has helped lift his spirits.
The PR executive mused: ‘The whole family is really excited to welcome another baby.’
Natalie added: ‘[Salman] was so shocked when we told him. He said: “this is wonderful news.”‘
![Salman Rushdie Overjoyed as he Welcomes New Grandchild! Natalie and Zafar share news of second daughter's arrival, two years after knife attack. 7 Natalie fell seriously ill with Covid.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/29/11/78281753-13361837-Natalie_and_Zafar_have_had_a_tough_time_when_Rose_turned_eight_m-a-70_1714385751787.jpg)
Natalie and Zafar have had a tough time – when Rose turned eight months old, Natalie fell seriously ill with Covid – pictured in November
Sir Salman was one of the first family members to meet their daughter Rose after travelling to the UK from his home in New York in full PPE for 12 hours with two weeks of self-isolation in the UK.
Speaking in a sweet interview, Natalie joked that her father-in-law is like the ‘baby whisperer’.
When Rose turned eight months old, tragedy struck as Natalie fell seriously ill with Covid.
The jazz singer spent 12 days in hospital ‘fighting for her life’ before her tearful reunion with her baby daughter.
In an emotional video shared to her Instagram account Natalie said she has a ‘long struggle’ ahead explaining that her lungs need to heal and that her liver has been damaged.
‘I have dreamed of this moment to see and hold my baby.’
![Salman Rushdie Overjoyed as he Welcomes New Grandchild! Natalie and Zafar share news of second daughter's arrival, two years after knife attack. 9 Two years ago Salman was nearly killed in a knife attack (pictured last Nov. 14)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/27/15/78281759-12796019-image-a-173_1701097614130.jpg)
Two years ago Salman was nearly killed in a knife attack (pictured last Nov. 14)
Issuing an update alongside the heartbreaking video, Natalie penned: ‘Going home [heart emojis]. Finally after 12 days in hospital I have been released. I have dreamed of this moment to see and hold my baby.
‘It is time to recover at home, I have a long struggle ahead of me building my strength, my lungs need to heal, my liver has been damaged, my body is covered in bruises I am now immune compromised and I have to rebuild my confidence.
‘I am grateful to the NHS who were truly amazing who gave me the support I needed to fight this terrible disease.’
Signing off her post, Natalie wrote: ‘Thank you to everyone who has sent me a message I have truly been touched and reading them has given me strength during some very dark hours.
‘I hope in time when I gain my strength I can thank you all individually. Be safe.’
![Salman Rushdie Overjoyed as he Welcomes New Grandchild! Natalie and Zafar share news of second daughter's arrival, two years after knife attack. 11 The couple pictured with their adorable three-year-old daughter Rose](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/27/15/78282031-12796019-image-a-175_1701097761459.jpg)
The couple pictured with their adorable three-year-old daughter Rose