Both described as middle-aged, Maddy's Father was a renowned Astronomer and her Mother was a Philosophy Professor. Maddy tells Nine that they moved to Chicago so that her mother could take up a position at the University of Chicago, however this is a lie. Maddy's parents were captured by Mogadorians when her Father, the astronomer, saw something he shouldn't have through his telescope. The Mogadorians detain them and use them as the center of a bargain which motivates Maddy to lure Number Nine for them.