Neighbours actress Madeleine West has revealed she is expecting her seventh child at the age of 45.
The Australian star, who already shares six children with her ex-partner, celebrity chef Shannon Bennett, announced her pregnancy on social media.
The couple’s brood includes Phoenix, 19, Hendrix, 16, Xascha, 14, Xanthe, 12, and twins Xalia and Margaux, 10. Madeleine, known for her role as Dee Bliss in Neighbours, shared a picture of herself by a river, proudly showing off her baby bump in a navy vest top, captioning it: “WHOOPS.”
She went on to say: “Thought it was #perimenopause. I thought WRONG! . It’s not too much Christmas pudding either. And I couldn’t be happier. “Not too sure about the title ‘Geriatric mum’ but here we are, and I’m winding back a little to grow this little surprise package I’ve dubbed #007 (Baby number 7, couldn’t help myself).
“I don’t have much more to say right now, but I’ve noticed I don’t hear much about older parents. l know you must be out there. Just seems we are invisible”.
Madeleine went on to ask her followers for stories about being pregnant in their 40s or 50s, reports the Mirror.
The actress also asked her followers for advice on being pregnant in their 40s or 50s, saying: “I’d love any tips you care to share,” she added. “Like how the heck do you get all the #baby paraphernalia together again after you’ve given it all away? ? ? ? There’s a terrifying new world of contraptions out there and I don’t know where to start! ! HELP!”.
In the Instagram post accompanied by the hashtags “#olderandwiser #pregnancy #olderparents #love”, she spoke about her experience, sparking an influx of supportive and congratulatory messages from her followers.
In response to her heartfelt call-out, one user shared: “My late mum was 43 when she had me – unheard of in 1974. She was the best mum – she had life experience, she stayed home with me, we used to walk to the shops and see my poppa on the way….Older mums are so special – you’ll be fabulous I have no doubt.”
Another chimed in with: “42 almost 43 when I gave birth to my 1st (and only! ). Being called geriatric never sat well with me lol They need to come up with a better term! Good luck with it all.”
Most recently, Madeleine’s name has been connected romantically with Maximo Bottaro, whom she dated for over three years, though their current status is somewhat of a mystery. The couple has not stepped out publicly nor been photographed together since December 2023.
Reflecting on her personal life, Madeleine parted ways with her ex Shannon in 2018 after a long-standing relationship of 13 years. Post-breakup, the former Neighbours actress opened up about the split, saying that the process “turned love toxic”.
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