Naomi Campbell has welcomed the birth of a baby boy at age 53, proclaiming it is ‘never too late to become a mother’.
The supermodel became a mum for the first time when she was 50 years old and announced the birth of her daughter to the world.
The star was inundated with congratulatory messages from her model pals including Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer and Helena Christensen.
Naomi – who was not seen with a baby bump in recent months – has not revealed how her son was conceived or delivered.
There is widespread speculation that Naomi used a surrogate, a popular approach among older celebrity mothers.
Surprise: Naomi Campbell has welcomed the birth of a baby boy at age 53, proclaiming it is ‘never too late to become a mother’ (pictured in June 2023)
Announcement: Naomi – who was not seen with a baby bump in recent months – has not revealed how her son was conceived or delivered
If this was the case, she could have used her own eggs – previously frozen – and donor sperm to create an embryo to be implanted via IVF.
However there is also the possibility that Naomi secretly carried the baby herself and concealed a petite baby bump in flowing clothes or fabric that tricked the eye.
If she did carry the baby herself, it is more than likely that she did so with the help of some sort of fertility treatment, such as using previously frozen eggs for IVF.
The star was a guest at a Louis Vuitton menswear fashion show earlier in June where she sported a brown mini dress with no bump visible.
She also attended the Cannes Film Festival in May where she showed off her lithe frame in a gold sleeveless gown with a plunging neckline.
‘Although it is possible to conceive naturally at 50 the chances are very slim,’ Professor Luciano Nardo, Founder & CEO of NOW-fertility.com, previously said.
This is because after the age of 30, the rate of decline in both quality and quantity of eggs rapidly speeds up.
In a woman’s 20s, there’s a one in three chance of fertilisation per cycle, compared with a one in five chance in their 30s.
No bump: Naomi attended the Cannes Film Festival in May where she showed off her lithe frame in a gold sleeveless gown with a plunging neckline
Speculation: There is widespread speculation that Naomi used a surrogate, a popular approach among older celebrity mothers (pictured in May 2023)
At 40, this drops to roughly one in 20 per cycle.
Between the ages of roughly 40 and 55, there is the added issue of the menopause, during which a woman stops having periods. In the UK, the average age for a woman to reach the menopause is 51.
This means it is very unlikely for a woman in her 50s, like Naomi, to conceive without any scientific intervention.
It is equally likely that a 53-year-old woman can fall pregnant using IVF using her own eggs.
Professor Nardo said: ‘Most women of this age in this situation would be advised to have assisted conception treatment using donated eggs.’
Celebrities have been criticised for giving ‘ordinary’ women false hope about the success of IVF treatment for older mothers.
‘Celebrity pregnancies at advanced ages give women false hope about what is actually possible,’ Professor Joyce Harper, reproductive scientist and author of the book Your Fertile Years: What You Need to Know to Make Informed Choices, told the Guardian.
‘The reality is that it is very, very unlikely for a woman to naturally become pregnant at 50. And, what’s more, it is equally unlikely that she can do so using IVF.’
Family: The supermodel became a mum for the first time when she was 50 years old and announced the birth of her daughter to the world
The figures improve dramatically if a woman decides to use donor eggs from a younger woman.
There is also the possibility that Naomi used her own eggs which she froze when she was younger. This increases the likelihood of successful IVF insemination.
Professor Nardo said: ‘It is possible that Naomi could have frozen her own eggs earlier in her reproductive life. The optimum age to do this is under the age of 35.
‘It involves taking medication for a short period of time to mature the eggs before they are harvested and frozen in a process called vitrification or “fast freezing”, which enables the eggs to maintain their structural integrity when frozen and subsequently thawed.’
Freezing eggs costs between £4,000 and £7,000 in the UK.
In both instances, a woman can use donor sperm, either from a clinic or from someone known to the mother.
There has been widespread speculation that Naomi used a surrogate, a method which is becoming increasingly common.
Midwife Pip Davies, known on Instagram as Midwife_Pip, explained: ‘There are 2 types of surrogacy processes in the UK.
‘”Straight surrogacy” whereby the surrogate provides their own eggs, or “host surrogacy” whereby the eggs of the intended mother are used.’
With host surrogacy, embryos made using the egg and sperm from the parents are transferred via IVF into the surrogate.
In the case of a single parent, a donor egg or sperm can be used.
With this approach, the surrogate is not genetically connected the the child conceived.
The embryos are either fully made up of both intended parents genetics, or made up of one intended parents genetics plus either donor eggs or donor sperm.
In Naomi’s case, this could mean her egg and a donor sperm were used to create an embryo that was then transferred to a surrogate.
Straight surrogacy uses the surrogate’s own eggs to conceive.
Pip continued: ‘There are surrogacy organisations in the UK that work with surrogates and intended parents to support them through the process, assist with finding matches and ensure important checks are carried out.
‘Although surrogacy is legal in the UK, surrogacy arrangements are not enforceable by law.
‘It is also illegal to advertise yourself as a surrogate or that you are seeking a surrogate and it is illegal to arrange a surrogacy in a commercial way.
‘This is where working with a dedicated organisation to guide you is a sensible approach to take.’
Reaction: Several of Naomi’s pals from the fashion industry sent their congratulations to the star after she announced the birth of her son
Meanwhile, several of Naomi’s pals from the fashion industry sent their congratulations to the star after she announced the birth of her son.
Cindy Crawford said she ‘can’t wait’ to meet the tot while Claudia Schiffer simply penned ‘congratulations’.
Jodie Turner-Smith wrote: ‘congratulations beautiful mumma,’ while Kelly Rowland added: ‘NAOMI!!! Congratulations!!’
Alessandra Ambrosio sent the star a love heart while Iman wrote: ‘So happy for you! Welcome baby boy’.
The Daily Mail can reveal that the baby was born on Saturday, it was known to Naomi’s family, close friends and work associates.
It is also believed that the supermodel will bring the baby up on her own, along with her two-year-old daughter.
One source said: ‘Naomi is a really strong woman. This is what she has always wanted. She is so very happy.
‘She is so excited to give her little girl a brother. She is looking forward to the years ahead with so much pride.’
Motherhood: It is believed that the supermodel will bring the baby up on her own, along with her two-year-old daughter
Posting a photo of the child, Naomi could be seen cradling the baby boy while her daughter, two, held his hand.
Wrapped up in what appeared to be a £275 Dolce & Gabbana ivory babygrow set, the newborn’s face was turned away from the camera as he lay in his mother’s arms.
The supermodel said: ‘My little darling, know that you are cherished beyond measure and surrounded by love from the moment you graced us with your presence.
‘A True Gift from God, blessed! Welcome Baby boy.’
Naomi was last in a relationship with rapper Skepta in 2018 but enjoyed a fling with One Direction’s Liam Payne the following year.
She has also enjoyed high-profile relationships with the likes of Diddy, Robert De Niro, Mike Tyson and Russian billionaire Vladislav Doronin over the years.
Although she is notoriously private about her love life, the star has previously stated she is ‘on good terms’ with her exes and is not believed to be dating anyone new at present.
