HOLLYWOOD—It’s no secret that women are having babies later, over the age of 40. By age 45 or so, the majority of women are quite infertile. The chance of getting pregnant without assisted reproductive technology after age 40 is only about 10 percent, according to published reports. However, celebrities are giving birth, ages 50 and beyond. Let’s look at some of the famous women that gave birth at over 50; Helen Morris, book editor and wife of film director Martin Scorsese, conceived their daughter Francesca in 1999 at the jaw-dropping age of 52. Unbelievable, yet true.
Singer-songwriter Sophie B Hawkins, in 2015, delivered a baby girl, her second child, at 50-years-old. According to US Weekly, the baby girl was conceived almost 20 years ago. At the peak of her music career, the singer had 15 embryos frozen at the age 31. She told the publication, “Being 50 is actually an amazing age to have a second child because I am more wise, calm, humorous, appreciative, simple and clear.”
Elizabeth Edwards, the late wife of former US Senator John Edwards had her daughter at the age of 48 and her son at the age of 50. May you be at peace Mrs. Edwards, but we must say, well done.
Actress Brigitte Nielsen is joining the ranks of motherhood over 50. She is expecting a baby with husband Mattia Dessi at the age of 54. This will be the Danish actress’s fifth child, but her first with her current husband, who she married in 2006. She is known for starring in “Rocky IV” and “Cobra” alongside Sylvester Stallone, who she later married in 1985. Nielsen had a successful modeling career, appearing in Playboy magazine on several occasions. She is most well-known for her involvement in reality television and came third on the UK’s “Celebrity Big Brother” in 2005-having been beaten by “Happy Mondays'” Bez and Blazin’ Squad rapper Kenzie.
In 2008, she took part in “Celebrity Rehab” with Dr. Drew, which saw her and other celebrities deal with recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. She also took part in the German version of “Strictly Come Dancing” in 2010 and won the German version of “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here” in 2012. Nielsen joins a number of high-profile women having babies later in life, including Janet Jackson and Rachel Weisz. Weisz announced in April that she was expecting a baby with husband Daniel Craig at the age of 48. While, Janet Jackson gave birth for the first time last year, at the age of 50, to son Eissa Al Mana, having scrapped her 2016 world tour to focus on family planning.
She stepped out to receive the Billboard Icon Award on May 20, and made history as the first African-American woman to do so. Janet, 52, who’s had No.1 hits in every decade since the 80s, also sang a medley of her songs-the first time she’s performed on TV in nine years. Following the birth of her son, Janet had been laying low. The mother of 17-month-old Eissa used her moment to recognize all women in the #MeToo movement, saying, “I stand with” the women who’ve “made it clear that we will no longer be controlled, manipulated, or abused.”
Leave it to Hollywood director Brian De Palma to write a “horror film” script based on the Harvey Weinstein scandal. De Palma, who directed the horror movie “Carrie” and the crime film “Scarface” in the 1970s and 1980s, is following it very closely. Mr. Weinstein has been indicted on charges of rape and other counts of sexual abuse after turning himself in to New York authorities last week. His lawyer has said he denies the charges against him.
“I know a lot of the people involved,” De Palma, 77, said in an interview with AFP in Paris, adding: “I’ve heard stories over the years.” He said that directors have to “get actors’ confidence and their love” and that “to violate it on any level is just to me the worst thing you can do, just because of your gluttony or your lust.” De Palma also said that the #MeToo movement, the campaign against sexual harassment and abuse, could fundamentally change the subjects of movies and how they are produced. Weinstein could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted of rape or a criminal sex act, officials have noted. His arrest and charging was welcomed by his accusers, with the actress Rose McGowan hailing it as a “significant moment.”
Rose’s Scoop: Kanye West and a few Kardashians arrived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming to hear his eighth album, “Ye” for the first time. It was released on June 1.
