A Tragic Turn
Sadly, Maria’s time with her sons was short-lived. Six months after giving birth, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
“They’re still babies, so I haven’t told them,” she said then. “They’re too young for these things.”
Maria’s family stepped in to care for Christian and Pau as her health declined. She passed away in 2009, leaving behind her two beloved sons after only a few precious years together.
#SabiasQue la mujer más vieja en dar a luz es Maria del Carmen Bousada (España) a los 66 años y 358 días. pic.twitter.com/zFVdlz8xLu
— Guinness World Records LatAm (@gwr_es) January 5, 2017
Maria’s brother Ricardo reflected, “I think she has done this too late in life … but now they are here. We love these beautiful boys.”
Pilar Pinto, a resident of Cadiz who knew Maria, later shared that Christian and Pau were thriving. “They are being well taken care of and are in great shape. I see them here often in town,” Pinto said.
Adding poignantly, Pinto remarked, “God didn’t let her enjoy her children very much. He should have given her more time.”
Maria del Carmen Bousada Lara is the oldest person to have given birth. She gave birth to twin boys, Christian and Pau, at the age of 66, at the Sant Pau Hospital in Barcelona, Spain, in 2006. She had received IVF treatment in the US after being denied the same in Spain. pic.twitter.com/7Blnbx9LRb
— NewsBytes (@NewsBytesApp) August 25, 2021
Maria’s Legacy
Despite the challenges and criticism, Maria stood by her decision to have children later in life. Her story is a poignant reminder of the resilience and determination of motherhood.
It’s a touching narrative that raises important questions about the right of women to choose when they become mothers. Personally, I believe every woman should have the autonomy to decide when the time is right for her.
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