Jennifer Aniston, the 56-year-old actress known for her role in "Friends" and "The Morning Show," has recently opened up about her decades-long journey with infertility and her reasons for not pursuing adoption. In a candid discussion on the "Armchair Expert" podcast, Aniston revealed that she had always wanted a child biologically related to her.
Aniston explained, "When people say, 'But you can adopt,' I don't want to adopt,". She continued, "I want my own DNA in a little person. That's the only way, selfish or not, whatever that is, I've wanted it".
The actress has faced significant media scrutiny over the years regarding her decision not to have children. Aniston revealed that she had been dealing with fertility struggles for over 20 years and expressed her frustration with the public's perception of her as "selfish" and a "workaholic" for not having a family. "They didn't know my story, or what I'd been going through over the past 20 years to try to pursue a family, because I don't go out there and tell them my medical woes," Aniston told Harper's Bazaar UK.
Aniston underwent multiple rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and explored various avenues to conceive. She admitted that reaching the end of her fertility journey was a deeply emotional experience. "It just wasn't in the plan, whatever the plan was," Aniston said. "There's a weird moment when doctors say, 'That's it,' and it hits you".
Despite the challenges and emotional toll, Aniston has come to terms with not becoming a parent. "It's so peaceful," Aniston shared on the podcast. "But I will say there's a point where it's like out of my control. There's literally nothing I can do about it". In a 2022 interview with Allure, Aniston stated that she has "zero regrets" about how things turned out. "The ship has sailed," she said. "I actually feel a little relief now because there is no more, 'Can I? Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.' I don't have to think about that anymore".
Aniston also reflected on past relationships, acknowledging that she had imagined having children with former partners. However, she admitted that the thought often passed quickly.
Aniston's recent comments about adoption have sparked debate and varying reactions on social media. Some have criticized her for what they perceive as a tone-deaf and self-absorbed stance, arguing that it perpetuates the idea that a child isn't truly "yours" without shared DNA. Others have defended Aniston's right to express her personal feelings and choices, emphasizing that she was not judging others' decisions to adopt. Some fans asserted that "parenthood isn't just spreading your genes to the next generation, it's about loving your child and taking care of them. it should not matter what their DNA is!".
Today, Aniston is focused on her career, her beauty brand LolaVie, and her personal happiness. She is currently dating hypnotist Jim Curtis, who helped her overcome a fear of flying.
