The clock ticks is a phrase women often hear throughout various stages in their lives. A societal pressure that becomes a subconscious thought that we tend to apply to our life goals. The need to achieve career-wise, find the right man and be financially stable before 30 is something many of us are programmed towards.
Yet in 2022 there are a variety of options available to women to become mothers, from egg-freezing, IVF, surrogates and adoption. All of these options are allowing women to live their lives how they see fit, without the worry of a clock ticking or the word ‘geriatric’ being used negatively.
In particular, there are many celebrities in the spotlight shattering stereotypes and societal expectations, giving those who are feeling that pressure a glimmer of hope and proving that life does not stop at 40, it only begins.
With that, here’s some of the most high-profile women who became mums after 40.
Naomi Campbell
After beginning a modelling career at age 15 and establishing herself within the industry for over four decades, Naomi Campbell welcomed her first first child last year at age 50. The supermodel and businesswoman announced the birth of her daughter on Instagram in May 2021.
Cameron Diaz
This award-winning actress, producer, model, author, and entrepreneur welcomed her first child with musician husband Benji Madden from Good Charlotte in January 2020. Raddix Madden was born in December 2019 when Diaz was 47 years old.
Salma Hayek
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Salma Hayek has previously spoken about how she is glad she made the decision to wait to become a mother until her 40s. According to Hayek, it gave her the opportunity to focus on her career, and believes she’s a better mum for it. The actress and producer gave birth to her daughter Valentina in 2007 when she was 41.
Madonna
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The Queen of Pop had her first child Lourde in 1996 when she was 38 and four years later, in 2000, she gave birth to her son Rocco, aged 42. Since then Madonna has adopted four more children.
Halle Berry
When discussing having children in her 40s Halle Berry has said that women know themselves better than anyone. The actress gave birth to her first child, daughter Nahla, at age 41, and her second child, son Maceo when she was 47.
Nicole Kidman
Before her divorce from Tom Cruise in 2001, Nicole Kidman adopted Connor, 26, and Isabella, 28 with the Mission Impossible actor. After marrying Keith Urban in 2006, Kidman gave birth to her daughter Sunday Rose in 2008 when she was 40. Two years later, in 2010, the couple welcomed their second child via surrogate, a daughter named Faith.
Janet Jackson
In 2017, Janet Jackson gave birth to her first child, son Eissa Al Mana, who she described as the “greatest gift of all”. Janet was 50 years old and recalls a stress-free and healthy birth.
Sandra Bullock
Actress and producer Sandra Bullock became a mother at the age of 46 after adopting her son Louis in 2010. She then adopted her daughter Laila in 2015. The actress has previously been open about the adoption process saying there’s a “soul out there for everyone”.
Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria welcomed her first child with partner José Bastón in 2018 when she was 43.
Rachel Weisz
Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig married in 2011 and both had children prior to their marriage. In 2018 the couple welcomed a daughter into the world when the actress was 48 years old and her husband was 50.
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