Because there was no eligible successor in the Saionji family, he adopted Hirosue who was the third son of Sadaijin Harutaka NIJO; Consequently, Hirosue became heir to the Saionji Family.
西園寺家の相続人がいなくなったために、左大臣二条治孝の三男の寛季を養子に迎えて西園寺家を相続させた。