Mike Dirnt, born Michael Pritchard, was born May 4, 1972, in Rodeo, California. Mike lived in poverty as a boy and was the adopted child of a heroin-addicted mother and a white father. His adoptive parents divorced when he was seven. Mike settled with his mom and older sister, but soon left on his own. Mike also worked at Rod's Hickory Pit where Billie Joe's mom worked as a waitress.At one point, Mike was so dependent on others that he rented a room on the other side of Billie Joe's house.
In the August of 1996, Mike Dirnt married his girlfriend Anastasia. Mike and Anastasia had a daughter, Estelle-Desiree, born April 1997. Mike and his wife became divorced, due to the pressures of the band. Mike is still good friends with his ex-wife. He is very close with his daughter and his nickname for her is "Hero".