Hilary Swank has defended her decision to have a third child at 52 after being labelled "selfish" and "too old" to be a mother again. The Oscar-winning actress, who already has twins with husband Philip Schneider, is due to welcome her third child in December.
Swank's response to critics
In a preview clip from her appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Swank addressed the criticism women face for having children later in life. She recounted a story that resonated with her, in which a woman said: "How dare you? You're too old, and you won't be old enough when your kids are older, and my dad was my favourite person and he died when I was in my early 20s, and it's just devastation."
Swank, who lost her own father in 2021, said she related to that sentiment. "I thought to myself, 'I would rather be born and have that person who was my favourite person and experience that than not at all'," she said.
Backlash over pregnancy
Some social media users have criticised the announcement. One follower wrote: "You really shouldn't give hope to women who don't have the same financial resources you have. Be honest and say you used donor eggs, or previously frozen eggs and IVF. This was NOT done naturally!"
Another critic said: "Imagine being 20 years old and your mother is 72. Honestly this is just selfish." A third added: "All fun and game until she's 65 and raising a teenager." A fourth commented: "She is too old to be a mother again."
Swank's parenting perspective
Swank previously told Women's Health UK that she would have had children earlier but that 47 was "a magical time" in her life. She also said she is now a "very different parent" than she would have been in her early forties, describing herself as "much more patient" and "much more understanding".
She added that she is "fascinated" by her children's development and is able to be a "hands-on parent" because her career is already established.
