Motherhood is an extraordinary and timeless responsibility, one that has existed since the dawn of humanity.
Becoming a mother can be a transformative experience that sometimes catches us off guard, while other times it is the culmination of years of hopeful anticipation. No matter how it happens, we can all agree that it is a true blessing.
Most of us cannot foresee when we will step into parenthood. We may strive to make it happen if that’s our desire, but life is inherently unpredictable.
Some women embrace motherhood at a young age, welcoming new life while still in their teenage years. Others may find themselves expecting later in life. Unfortunately, some face challenges that prevent them from having biological children.
There is no single path to motherhood. Every baby deserves to be celebrated, and every mother should be honored for the remarkable journey she undertakes to bring a new life into the world.
Maria del Carmen Bousada de Lara was recognized as the oldest mother in the world when she gave birth….
Some women, such as Maria Carmen del Bousada from Cadiz, Spain, encounter criticism and even oppression for their choices about when or how to start a family.
In 2006, Maria shared that her family was taken aback when she announced she was expecting twins.
The reason? She was 66 years old at the time.
Maria del Carmen Bousada holds the record for the oldest living mother, having given birth at the age of 66 years and 358 days in 2006.
Maria, a retired store worker, reportedly sold her house to pay for IVF treatment so she could have a baby, even though she was older. She allegedly told doctors at a fertility clinic in California that she was 55 years old.
Maria believed that everyone should have the freedom to decide when to start a family, rather than feeling pressured by society or other people’s expectations.
After being diagnosed with cancer,
she shared with The Guardian, “Sometimes life puts you in tough situations, and maybe my choices weren’t the best, but it was the only way to reach my lifelong dream.”
Not everyone supported her decision, though. Some of her own family members called her selfish. Maria even mentioned that she kept her pregnancy a secret for a while, and her relatives thought she was joking when she finally revealed it.
#SabiasQue la mujer más vieja en dar a luz es Maria del Carmen Bousada (España) a los 66 años y 358 días. pic.twitter.com/zFVdlz8xLu
— Guinness World Records LatAm (@gwr_es) January 5, 2017
In 2006, Maria became the oldest mom in the world when she gave birth to healthy twin boys named Christian and Pau.
Sadly, just six months later, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and wouldn’t be able to watch them grow up.
“They’re still babies, so I haven’t told them,” she explained. “They’re too young for these things.”
After her diagnosis, Maria’s family had to step in to help raise Christian and Pau. Maria passed away in 2009, having only spent a few precious years with her sons.
Her brother Ricardo shared, “I think she did this too late in life… but now they are here. We love these beautiful boys.”
Pilar Pinto, a neighbor from Cadiz where Maria lived, also provided an update on the twins.
“They are being well taken care of and are in great shape,” he said. “I see them here often in town.”
Pinto added, “God didn’t let her enjoy her children very much. He should have given her more time.”
Despite everything, Maria was firm in her choice to have children later in life.
It’s such a touching story. I believe every woman should have the right to choose when to have kids.
What do you think about Maria having babies in her 60s? Share your thoughts in the comments on Facebook.
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