Becoming a mom is a really special and unique responsibility, one that has been around as long as humans have existed.
Becoming a mother is one of those big life changes that can sometimes catch you off guard, while other times it’s the result of waiting for a long time. No matter how it happens, we can all agree that it’s always a blessing.
Most of us can’t really predict when we will become parents. We can try our best to make it happen if that’s what we want, but life has always been unpredictable and will continue to be.
Some women become mothers when they are very young, bringing new life into the world while they are still teenagers. Others might get pregnant later in life. Sadly, some women face challenges that mean they may never have a baby of their own.
There’s no right or wrong way to do this. Every baby should be celebrated, and every mother should be recognized for the amazing journey they go through to create another human being.
However, some women, like Maria Carmen del Bousada from Cadiz, Spain, face judgment and sometimes even pressure for their choices about when or how to have a baby.
5. Maria del Carmen Bousada de LaraMaria del Carmen Bousada de Lara was the world’s oldest mother when she gave birth…Posted by Top10BD on Sunday, June 4, 2017
In 2006, Maria shared that her family was really surprised when she announced she was having twins.
Why were they shocked? Because she was already 66 years old.
Reports say that Maria, who used to work in a store, sold her house to pay for IVF treatment so she could get pregnant even at her age. She reportedly told the doctors at a fertility clinic in California that she was 55 instead.
Maria believed that everyone should have the right to decide when to start a family, rather than feeling pressured by society or what others expect.
El récord de la madre viva de mayor edad lo posee María del Carmen Bousada Lara de España, fue madre a los 66 años y 358 días en el 2006.Posted by La Arboleda Residencial on Wednesday, April 24, 2013
According to The Guardian newspaper, she mentioned back then: “Sometimes situations force you to choose between two tough options, and maybe the way things were done wasn’t the best, but it was the only way to reach my lifelong dream.”
Of course, not everyone was on her side.
The main critics were her own family members, who called her selfish. Maria even shared that she had kept her pregnancy a secret for a while, and her relatives thought she was joking when she finally decided to tell them.
In 2006, Maria welcomed a pair of healthy twin boys, Christian and Pau, making her the oldest mom in the world at that time.
#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
Tragically, though, she would not get to see them grow up. Just six months after giving birth, the new mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
“They’re still babies, so I haven’t told them,” she said at the time. “They’re too young for these things.”
In a surprising turn of events, Maria’s family had to step in and help her take care of Christian and Pau. The retired mom sadly passed away in 2009, only getting to spend a few short years with her boys.
Maria’s brother Ricardo said, “I think she has done this too late in life… but now they are here. We love these beautiful boys.”
Additionally, Pilar Pinto, who lives in Cadiz where Maria resided, shared an update on how Christian and Pau are doing.
“They are being well taken care of and are in great shape,” he mentioned. “I see them here often in town.”
Pinto also remarked, “God didn’t let her enjoy her children very much. He should have given her more time.”
As for Maria, she stayed firm in her choice to have children later in life until the very end.
What a beautiful story! I don’t know about you, but I believe all women should have the right to choose when they want to have kids.
What are your thoughts on Maria’s decision to have babies in her 60s? Share your opinions in the comments box on Facebook.
In the meantime, please share this article on social media to help keep the conversation going. Rest in peace, Maria!
