Hilary Swank responds to criticism of late motherhood
16 october 2026 в 18:02
Hilary Swank spoke out about the criticism she faced for having children at a later age. During the filming of an episode of The Drew Barrymore Show on October 15, the actress discussed the reaction she received after starting her family with husband Philip Schneider. The couple became parents to twins, Aja and Oma, in 2023 when Swank was 48 years old. On October 14, she announced that she is pregnant again at 52.
«There is a lot of criticism of women for becoming mothers at a later age, but not of men, which is interesting», - Swank said in a teaser for the episode, which will air on October 20. Host Drew Barrymore noted that it is indeed strange, as men can become fathers even at 80, and added that the reaction to Swank having children at 40 was not always kind.
Swank recalled one particularly harsh comment she received from a stranger regarding her family decisions. «One woman said, ‘How dare you? You’re too old, and you won’t be old enough when your kids grow up,'» she shared. Swank noted that this story affected her, as her own father also passed away, and she would have preferred to have the chance to experience love from him, even if it were brief.
In an interview with Women’s Health magazine in November 2025, Swank previously reflected on the benefits of motherhood at a more mature age. She admitted that although she did not plan to become a mother at 47, it was a magical time in her life. Swank also noted that she has become a more patient and understanding mother than she might have been in her youth, and she shows greater interest in her children’s development.
«There is a lot of criticism of women for becoming mothers at a later age, but not of men, which is interesting», - Swank said in a teaser for the episode, which will air on October 20. Host Drew Barrymore noted that it is indeed strange, as men can become fathers even at 80, and added that the reaction to Swank having children at 40 was not always kind.
Swank recalled one particularly harsh comment she received from a stranger regarding her family decisions. «One woman said, ‘How dare you? You’re too old, and you won’t be old enough when your kids grow up,'» she shared. Swank noted that this story affected her, as her own father also passed away, and she would have preferred to have the chance to experience love from him, even if it were brief.
In an interview with Women’s Health magazine in November 2025, Swank previously reflected on the benefits of motherhood at a more mature age. She admitted that although she did not plan to become a mother at 47, it was a magical time in her life. Swank also noted that she has become a more patient and understanding mother than she might have been in her youth, and she shows greater interest in her children’s development.
© Kolganov Andrey
