The idea of “the biological clock ticking” has been around for decades, but it doesn’t apply to every woman.

Over the years, plenty of celebrities have chosen to become mothers after turning 40. These women prove that age is just a number—and that it’s never too late to start or expand your family.

Becoming a mother is a life-changing decision that many women make in their 20s and 30s. But some women choose to wait until after 40 to become mothers for various reasons, including the need for financial stability or simply the desire to pursue other interests before settling down into parenthood.

How These Famous Moms Became Parents After 40

It’s no secret that having a baby comes with unique challenges later in life. Let’s take a look at these celebrities who had babies after 40.

1. Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz was married to musician Benji Madden for several years before the couple welcomed their daughter, Raddix, in December 2019. At that time, Diaz was 47 years old. In an Instagram post announcing the birth of her first child, Diaz wrote: “We are so happy, blessed, and grateful to begin this new decade by announcing the birth of our daughter, Radix Madden. She has instantly captured our hearts and completed our family.”

2. Janet Jackson

Legendary singer and performer Janet Jackson welcomed her first and only child, a son named Eissa, at the age of 50. Jackson shares the baby with ex-husband of two years, Qatari businessman Wissam Al Mana,

3. Halle Berry

Halle Berry gave birth to her daughter Nahla when she was 41. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, she expressed how she had wanted to have a baby since she was in her thirties, but it didn’t happen—until it did, much later than expected. She also said that her age was an advantage because she felt more grounded and secure at the time of her daughter’s birth.

In 2013, at the age of 46, she gave birth to her son Maceo via C-section. Berry said being an older mom has been great for her because she has more patience than when she was younger. She also says that having Maceo taught her how to appreciate the little things in life.

By the time she had her son, the Oscar-winning actress had already been married and divorced twice. She told People magazine, “I think Maceo made me complete.”

4. Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani is another celebrity who became a mom after 40—she welcomed her third son Apollo into the world in 2014 when she was 44 years old.

Stefani has said that even though it took longer than expected for her to become pregnant again, it was worth it because Apollo completed their family just the right way. She also notes that being an older parent gives you more wisdom and perspective since you have made much living before becoming a parent.

5. Nicole Kidman

Another famous actress who became a mom after 40 is Nicole Kidman, who welcomed her first child with her husband, Keith Urban, in 2010 when she was 43. Kidman already had two adopted children from her previous marriage to Tom Cruise, but this was her first biological child—and she couldn’t have been more thrilled about it. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Kidman said, “Having my first [biological] baby at 43… I can’t tell you how much I love being a mother.”

6. Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey had twins with her husband, Nick Cannon, when she was 42. Her son Moroccan and daughter Monroe, with husband Nick Cannon, were born in April 2011.

In an interview with People magazine, Carey described her pregnancy as “an incredible experience” and added that it wasn’t something she planned on doing but rather something that happened naturally due to her love for Cannon and their desire to start a family together.

7. Celine Dion

Following six rounds of IVF, the Canadian singer gave birth to twin boys, Eddy and Nelson, in 2010 at 42. Céline also shares the twins’ older brother René-Charles, born in 2001, with her late husband, René Angélil, who died in 2016.

She has spoken openly about how difficult it can be for older women trying to conceive, saying, “you never give up hope.”

8. Alyssa Milano

Alyssa Milano welcomed her son Milo in 2011 when she was 41. She has said that she and her husband were thrilled to become parents later in life, as they felt more secure and less worried about the future than they would have been in their twenties. In September 2014, the Mistresses actress welcomed a baby girl, Elizabella, at 41. In February of that same year, Milano told Us that she and her husband, David Bugliari, were “actively trying” to get pregnant. ”

9. Alanis Morissette

On Aug. 12, 2019, Alanis Morissette welcomed her third child, Winter Mercy, at 45. Alanis and her husband, Mario “Souleye” Treadway, are also parents to son Ever Imre, born in 2010, and daughter Onyx Solace, born in 2016, when Alanis was 42.

10. Meryl Streep

Renowned Hollywood actress Meryl Streep had her fourth child, Louisa, in 1991 at 41. She already had three older children but needed another when she was in her forties. Streep has said that becoming a mother again at such an advanced age was incredibly fulfilling and gave her a new sense of purpose in life.

11. Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore gave birth to her second child, Liv, at 41, in April 2002. Julianne and her husband Bart Freundlich are also parents to son Caleb, born five years previously, in 1997

12. Susan Sarandon

At the age of 39, Susan Sarandon gave birth to her first child, her daughter Eva Amurri, in 1985. She then gave birth to sons Miles Guthrie and Jack Henry at ages 42 and 45, respectively.

13. Rachel Weisz

Rachel Weisz and her husband, Daniel Craig, welcomed their daughter in September 2018, when Weisz was 48 years old. They are notoriously private, but Weisz acknowledged her pregnancy in a 2018 New York Times profile, saying, “Daniel and I are so happy. We’re going to have a little human. We can’t wait to meet him or her. It’s all such a mystery.” The actress already shared her son, Henry, with American filmmaker Darren Aronofsky.

14. Kim Basinger

Kim Basinger and then-husband Alec Baldwin gave birth to a daughter Ireland on Oct. 23, 1995, when Kim was 41. Ireland shared the above throwback photo on Mother’s Day 2018 with the caption: “Thank you for birthing me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for putting sunscreen on me. You are too cool. I am not worthy.”

15. Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields gave birth to daughter Grier in 2006 when the model was 40 (her first daughter Rowan was born in 2003). Although Shields did not use IVF for her second pregnancy, she did so to conceive her first child.

Conclusion

It’s always amazing when we hear stories about women who become mothers after turning 40—especially if those women are celebrities! We applaud all these strong and inspiring women for taking charge of their futures and embracing motherhood later in life.

There’s no right or wrong way to plan a family; all that matters is that you do what feels right. We hope their stories inspire all those considering parenthood down the line!