Hilary Swank Announces Third Pregnancy at 52: 'Everything Happens in Its Own Time'

Hilary Swank, the two-time Academy Award-winning actress, has announced that she is pregnant with her third child at the age of 52. The news was shared in an Instagram video posted on Wednesday (14/10), showing her with her husband, Philip Schneider, and their three-year-old twins, Ohm and Aya, dancing with glowsticks attached to their bodies. In the video, Swank also showed her growing belly, symbolized by a small baby wrapped in glowsticks.

The announcement drew a range of reactions, especially from social media users who felt inspired. One follower wrote, “At 39 I'm still single and don't have children. You truly give me hope that the life I want is still possible.” Swank replied briefly, “Thank you! It can happen!” She then added, “I've always held on to the saying that everything happens in its own time, not in our time. That has always been true in my life. But of course, believing it is the hardest part. I pray you have steadfast faith and abundant beauty on your journey.”

In an interview with People, Swank revealed that having children at a more mature age gave her the freedom to focus more on parenting. “I can spend time with them. I feel I get many Mother's Days besides the actual Mother's Day because I can be so present,” she said. She also realized that if she had had children in her 20s or 30s, her parenting style would have been different. “I knew I wanted to have children someday, but I didn't plan what it would look like,” she added.

“I've always held on to the saying that everything happens in its own time, not in our time. But believing it is the hardest part.” — Hilary Swank

Swank also highlighted the importance of inner work before becoming a parent. “I've done a lot of introspection. One of the important things to becoming the best parent is to resolve your own issues so you don't pass on unwanted patterns to your children,” she explained. She feels fortunate that her established career allows her to manage work and family time more flexibly.

Swank's story reflects a broader trend in modern society, in which more women choose or experience pregnancy at an older age. This phenomenon occurs not only in Hollywood but also in various parts of the world, including Indonesia. Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows that the average age at which Indonesian women have their first child has continued to rise over the past few decades, along with increased education and labor force participation among women. Nevertheless, pregnancy at an advanced age still carries medical risks that need to be watched, such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and delivery complications.

In Indonesia, discussions about fertility and parenting at a mature age are still often considered taboo. However, stories like Swank's can open up dialogue about life choices and social support for women who decide to have children later in life. It also highlights the importance of access to reproductive health services and genetic counseling for couples planning a pregnancy at an older age.

Going forward, the public will await the birth of Swank's third child and how she takes on her new role. Will this experience inspire more women not to be bound by age limits in realizing the dream of having a family? Time will tell, but Swank's message is clear: hope never knows an age limit.