Brigitte Nielsen is opening up about raising her five-year-old child at the age of 60 after a 13-year struggle with IVF, proudly declaring: ‘There is no such thing as too old!’
The Danish film star, known for her ’80s action roles such as Red Sonja, also defended the 15-year-age-gap with her current husband Mattia Dessi, 45, in an interview with People.
Nielsen, who was previously married to Sylvester Stallone and dated Arnold Schwarzenegger said: ‘We don’t say that to men who have children in their 60s, 70s, even 80s!’ adding, ‘Look at Robert De Niro. He’s 79, and he has a 7-month-old.’
The Creed II actress said when she finally got pregnant with Frida at 55 after more than a decade of IVF treatments, the message she was she was ‘to old’ to be having a baby at her age.
Just a number: Brigitte Nielsen, 60, is mom to five-year-old Frida and says when it comes to motherhood, ‘There’s no such thing as “too old”‘
‘Half the world was saying that when I got pregnant at 55 — including my four older sons,’ she said.
The Guardians of the Justice (Will Save You) star is mom to Julian Winding, 39, from her first marriage to composer Kasper Winding.
She shares Killian, 33, with Mark Gastineau.
Sons Aaron, 30 and Raoul, Jr, 28, are from her marriage to with ex-husband Raoul Meyer.
The Mercenaries star said she received similar pushback about her age when she first met her husband. She was 41 and the Italian model was 25.
‘I remember people were saying, “It’s ridiculous, who does she think she is?”‘ she recalled.
‘ A good marriage is all about making it exciting and about acceptance and respect. You shouldn’t ever try and change the person you fell in love with to ‘make them better.’ Allow them to be them.’
Pushback: Brigitte said she received pushback about her age when she met her future husband Mattia Dessi. She was 41 at the time. He was 25. The couple will soon celebrate their 20th anniversary while her critics ‘are divorced now’
Famous exes: The 80s icon has several famous exes, including former husband Sylvester Stallone and former boyfriend Arnold Schwarzenegger (Pictured in 1986)
‘Look at De Niro – he’s 79, and he has a 7-month-old!’ Brigitte Nielsen, 60, hits back at critics of her raising a five-year-old child after IVF struggle with husband 15 years her junior
The couple with soon celebrate their 20th anniversary. Many of her critics can’t say the same.
‘All those people who were laughing and pointing fingers at me are divorced now, and we’re still together.’
The Rocky IV star said when she finally got pregnant with Frida, ‘he doctor warned me to be realistic about my chances. He told me I had a two and a half percent chance of getting pregnant, so when it finally happened, it was just amazing.’
‘And then there was fear, because I was such high-risk, being 54.’
Instead, her final pregnancy ‘was the easiest pregnancy I ever had,’ she claimed.
‘Maybe because I had done it four times before, and my priorities had shifted. It was a deep, deep desire within me and a choice.’
‘When I finally gave birth, it was all so easy and brilliant.’
Now in what many would call her ‘golden years,’ Brigitte said she thinks being a mom at this stage in her life is easier.
‘You know how kids say grandmothers are the best? I feel like I have that mindset and emotion,’ she explained.
Happy life: The Rocky IV star is happily married to Mattia Dessi, 45, with whom she shares Frida. The actress said she got pregnant with Frida at age 54 after more than a decade of failed IVF
Patience: Now in what many would call her ‘golden years,’ Brigitte said she thinks being a mom at this stage in her life is easier. ‘I have the patience and that extra bit of love to give now, and I think it’s because I’m a grandmother’s age,’ she said
Juggling: ‘When I was a younger mom, I was often juggling being single, being on a plane, on a movie set. Now Frida comes first,’ the doting mom said
Healthy habits: The Red Sonja actress has developed healthier habits, including quitting smoking and drinking, and has more energy
Adult children: The Danish beauty is mom to four adult sons, including Aaron, 30 (r) and Raoul, Jr, 28, (l) with ex-husband Raoul Meyer. She shares Killian, 33, with former NFL star Mark Gastineau and Julian, 39, from her first marriage to composer Kasper Winding
‘I have the patience and that extra bit of love to give now, and I think it’s because I’m a grandmother’s age.’
The Red Sonja star said things were different with her older kids. For one thing, she’s less tired.
‘When I was a younger mom, I was often juggling being single, being on a plane, on a movie set. Now Frida comes first.’
Brigitte, who lives in Marbella, Spain with her husband and daughter, has also adopted healthier habits along the way. She no longer smokes or drinks.