It is a universal desire of parents to watch their children’s journey through life, but for some this experience is impossible. Older parents often face social stigma. An example of this is the case of a 66-year-old woman whose pregnancy with twins caused consternation.
María Carmen del Bousada, a Spanish pensioner, dreamed of motherhood all her life. After her mother died, she decided to pursue this dream, justifying her unconventional choice by saying that circumstances forced her to take this path. Her pregnancy was kept secret, and when her family was found out, they accused her of selfishness.
To achieve her goal, Bousada underwent IVF, lying about her age to a California clinic. She even sold her home to finance the treatment. In 2006, she gave birth to twins, making her the oldest mother in the world at the time. Her joy was short-lived, however: shortly after giving birth, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which made it difficult for her to care for her newborns.
Bousada’s time as a mother was short-lived, as her hopes of finding a younger partner to help her raise her children never materialized. Instead, her family became supportive. Tragically, she passed away in 2009, leaving behind her twins. She believed she would live to a ripe old age, but her life took a different path.
Maria’s brother, who initially criticized her decision, took on the responsibility of raising the twins. In her last interviews, Bousada claimed that she did not regret her decision to become a mother, and we hope that her family will preserve her memory and share her remarkable story with Maria’s children.
