Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank has announced that she is pregnant with her third child at the age of 52, drawing attention to the scrutiny women often face when having children later in life. Swank, who is already mother to three-year-old twins Ohm and Aya, spoke openly about the criticism and double standards she has encountered during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show in New York.

Swank highlighted the disparity between societal attitudes toward older mothers and fathers, noting that men tend to receive less judgment for having children at an advanced age. She said, “There’s a lot of backlash women get for having children older but not men, which is interesting.” This point was echoed by the show’s host, Drew Barrymore, who described the double standard as “weird,” observing that men can become fathers even into their 80s without facing comparable criticism.

The actress recalled a specific incident where she was scolded by an unnamed woman who questioned her decision to have children later in life, saying, “How dare you? You’re too old.” Despite such remarks, Swank has maintained a positive outlook. She shared a family video on social media to announce the pregnancy, showing her husband, businessman Philip Schneider, 53, and their twins celebrating her growing family. In the post, she humorously described the pregnancy as her next “project,” which will be “released in December.”

Swank also responded to fans expressing that her pregnancy instilled hope for their own chances of starting a family later in life. She advised trusting the timing of life’s milestones, saying, “Things happen in their time, not ours… Wishing you unwavering trust and abundant beauty on your journey!”

Reflecting on her family journey, Swank revealed she froze her eggs at 37 and became pregnant with her twins a decade later. She explained that her timing was not the result of deliberate delay but what felt right for her. “I’m a very different parent than I would’ve been, even in my early 40s. I’m much more patient,” she said.

Swank also touched on personal hardship, mentioning the loss of her father in 2021. She expressed that despite the pain, she values having had the experience of knowing him, emphasizing the importance of such relationships even within the context of later parenthood.

Her openness about the challenges and joys of motherhood later in life adds to ongoing conversations about fertility, societal expectations, and the evolving definitions of family.