In today’s society, more women are choosing to take their time before starting a family. Whether it’s to focus on career, personal growth, enjoy the childless years of partnership, or simply wait for the right time, the narrative around motherhood is shifting.
Independence is now the centerpiece as women are reclaiming their right to define their own timeline. According to the CDC, the birth rate for women aged 35–39 has increased by nearly 67 percent in the past two decades, reflecting a cultural shift where more women are embracing motherhood on their own terms.
Despite outdated stigmas around “geriatric pregnancy,” there are countless women who prove that beauty, strength and motherhood can thrive well beyond 35. Here are nine Black celebrities who embraced motherhood later in life. These women did it on their own timeline, proving that motherhood has no timestamp.
Beyoncé
The master of balancing parenthood and her career, Beyoncé welcomed twins Sir and Rumi Carter at age 35. After already giving birth to Blue Ivy at 30, Beyoncé opened up about the emotional and physical journey of her second pregnancy in her iconic “Homecoming” documentary. She shared the challenges of carrying twins, including preeclampsia and an emergency C-section, as well as the deep transformation she experienced. Now bringing 7-year-old Rumi along for her sold-out Cowboy Carter tour, her journey is a testament to never letting motherhood slow you down, at any age.
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson shocked and inspired the world when she gave birth to her first child, Eissa Al Mana, at age 50. While rumors had circulated around her pregnancy for months, the singer confirmed she was expecting and soon gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Though Jackson has kept her son largely out of the public eye, her story inspired countless women around the world to embrace the idea that it’s never too late to become a mother.
Ciara
As mother of four, Ciara gave birth to Amora Princess Wilson at age 38 in December 2023. This marked her third baby with husband Russell Wilson, who’s already hopeful for another. Balancing a thriving career, motherhood and marriage, Ciara effortlessly radiates grace and joy. Her journey proves that motherhood doesn’t slow you down, instead fueling your evolution as a woman, artist and businesswoman.
Mariah Carey
The most iconic of divas, Mariah Carey gave birth to twins, Moroccan and Monroe, at age 41. She celebrated their birth with then-husband Nick Cannon. Carey was open about her journey to conception, sharing that she underwent fertility treatments and experienced a miscarriage before her successful pregnancy. Her honesty gave visibility to the raw aspects of later-in-life motherhood, and she’s been a loud and proud mama ever since.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry gave birth to her second child, Maceo, at 47, and her daughter Nahla at 41. She’s been vocal about how motherhood transformed her, attributing it to helping her feel more grounded and purposeful. While the media often focused on her age, Berry reminded the world that a woman’s body is not confined to anyone else’s parameters. She embraced motherhood in her 40s with full force and a preservation of youth.
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell stunned fans when she announced the birth of her first child at 50 and second child at 53. She has kept their names, faces, and details about the births private, though she shared that they are “not adopted” and that she feels “blessed beyond measure.” Her late-in-life motherhood is the definition of timeless elegance and fierce independence.
Tyra Banks
Supermodel and media mogul Tyra Banks welcomed her son, York, via surrogate at 42. This followed a long and difficult fertility journey. Banks has been open about her struggles with IVF and the emotional toll it took. In 2016, she celebrated the birth of her baby boy, proving there’s always a way to parenthood. She continues to speak openly about the joys and challenges of motherhood, especially when it doesn’t follow the expected path.
Da Brat
Rapper Da Brat and her wife Jesseca Dupart welcomed their son, True Legend, when Da Brat was 49 years old. Their pregnancy journey included IVF and many challenges, which they openly shared on social media and in interviews. She had surgery to remove fibroids and polyps prior to an embryo transfer procedure and suffered a miscarriage before True. The couple’s story broke barriers for queer visibility in Black motherhood. They proved that love, family, and new beginnings can bloom at any time.
Lisa Bonet
The ever-enigmatic Lisa Bonet gave birth to Lola Iolani Momoa at 39, and Nakoa-Wolf at 40 with then-husband Jason Momoa. She’d already become a mother at 21 to daughter Zoë Kravitz with Lenny Kravitz, but her second experience with motherhood came later in life. Bonet has openly embraced a holistic, intuitive lifestyle and her second journey as a mom reflects her belief in alignment and sacred timing. Her story is a beautiful reminder that motherhood evolves with every person.