66-year-old mom criticized after giving birth to twin boys

Motherhood is a profound and timeless responsibility, one that has been woven into the fabric of humanity since the very beginning. For some, the journey to becoming a mother comes as a sudden and unexpected surprise, while for others, it is the culmination of years of patience and hope. Regardless of how it unfolds, one thing remains clear—motherhood is always a blessing.

None of us can predict when we might step into the role of a parent. We can try, we can plan, but life has a way of surprising us. Some women embrace motherhood at a young age, bringing new life into the world while they’re still in their teens. Others become mothers later in life, and some face heartbreaking challenges that may prevent them from ever carrying a child of their own. Yet, there is no right or wrong path. Every baby deserves to be celebrated, and every mother honored for the remarkable journey her body takes in creating a new life.

But not all women have the luxury of following a traditional path to motherhood. Take Maria Carmen del Bousada, for instance. Living in Cadiz, Spain, she faced scorn and judgment for her choice to become a mother at an age when most people would assume that chapter of life had closed.

Maria, a retired store employee, was determined to become a mother despite her age. In order to afford IVF treatment, she sold her house, even going so far as to lie to doctors at a fertility clinic in California, claiming she was 55. It was a decision driven by the belief that every woman should have the right to decide when to start her family, free from societal pressures and expectations.

Maria’s choice was met with criticism, particularly from her own family. They labeled her selfish, and for a time, she hid her pregnancy, knowing her relatives would not understand. But in 2006, at the age of 66, Maria defied the odds and gave birth to healthy twin boys, Christian and Pau. She became the oldest mother in the world, proving that the desire to become a parent doesn’t have an expiration date—nor should it be defined by the judgments of others.