5 Celebrities Who Welcomed Pregnancies After 40 — From Hilary Swank to Natalie Portman

More women are choosing to have children later in life, and several high-profile celebrities have shared their journeys to motherhood after 40, offering insight into timing, family, and the realities of pregnancy beyond what was once considered the norm.

Pregnancy after 40 was once seen as rare, but it has become increasingly common. Advances in medicine and changing life priorities have contributed to this shift. Several celebrities have openly shared their experiences, offering a glimpse into the challenges and joys of starting or expanding families later in life.

From first-time parents to growing families, these women highlight how timing can differ for everyone.

1. Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman revealed on April 17, 2026, that she is expecting her first child with boyfriend Tanguy Destable at the age of 44. The actress is already a mother to Aleph and Amalia, whom she shares with ex-husband Benjamin Millepied.

Portman’s background adds a unique perspective. As the daughter of a fertility doctor, she is familiar with the complexities of pregnancy later in life. She has acknowledged that while the experience is joyful, it is not without challenges.

2. Gisele Bündchen

Gisele Bündchen also welcomed a child after 40. The model, who shares son Benjamin and daughter Vivian with ex-husband Tom Brady, gave birth to a son with Joaquim Valente in early 2025 at age 44.

Later that year, Bündchen and Valente tied the knot. Her journey shows that new chapters can begin at any stage of life, including expanding a family.

3. Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank became a mother at 48 when she welcomed twins Aya and Ohm with her husband Philip Schneider in 2023. The two-time Oscar winner has been open about her path to motherhood.

“I would have had kids earlier,” she told Women’s Health in 2025. “I’m not saying I actively waited until 47. But that was a magical time in my life, when it all culminated. It was the right time for a myriad of reasons.”

Swank also revealed that she froze her eggs a decade before becoming pregnant, highlighting one option women may consider when planning for the future.

4. Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani was 44 when she became pregnant with her son Apollo. The singer has described the experience as unexpected and meaningful.

"I was desperate," Stefani recalled on Hallow in March 2026. "I really wanted to have another baby. I really did. And I couldn't and I was old. And then my oldest boy, Kingston, comes up to me. He's like, ‘Mommy, I just I really want you to have a baby.’ I said, I'm sorry, your mommy's too old to have a baby now.'"

She later described Apollo as a “full-on gift,” emphasizing the emotional side of her experience. Stefani also shares sons Zuma and Kingston with ex-husband Gavin Rossdale.

5. Rachel Weisz

Rachel Weisz was 48 when she and her husband Daniel Craig welcomed their daughter, Grace, in September 2018. The couple had announced the pregnancy earlier that year in April.

For Weisz, the experience marked her first child with Craig. Her story reflects how family life can evolve later in life, even after established careers and previous relationships.

These stories show that there is no single path to motherhood. While medical realities remain, many women are redefining what is possible when it comes to starting or growing a family.

For these celebrities, having children after 40 was not just about timing. It was about readiness, opportunity, and personal choice. Their experiences continue to shape conversations around age and parenthood.