Childless after 40? Salma Hayek says, "This is awful"

by

Sara McGinnis

posted in Celebrities

Salma Hayek's latest interview is rubbing quite a few people the wrong way. Along with opening up about her new movie, Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, the mother of 7-year-old Valentina Pinault shared her thoughts about aging and being child-free.

When asked about what's changed in her career over the years, the actress said, "I’ve been getting awards from different places for the humanitarian work and I’ve had a lot of movies come out. Then there is my husband also who takes me to many places. There’s that stuff too and I’ve just been busy with life.”

Salma Hayek, who will celebrate her 49th birthday in September, went on to talk about the decade of life she's in by saying:

"You don’t look as bad as you thought you were going to look. You don’t feel as old as you thought you were going to feel. It’s a myth. Forties are full of life. The only thing that is tough about the 40s is when you haven’t had a child. This is awful. And the men today are terrible because when you are coming to the 40s they … start going away. But you know what? (Not) the good ones."

While it's great to hear someone talk so positively about being 40-something, I couldn't help but cringe reading those two sentences in the middle about being childless. Pretty darn harsh.

I've read a lot of comments from people outraged by Salma's words. Many are angry she appears to be pitying their choices and implying becoming a parent is the only right way to go. Others, however, are wondering if perhaps it was a bit of a misunderstanding.

Could it be she was referring to those who want to have children but for whatever reason weren't able to? That certainly puts a different take on the words, but nothing in the quote leads me to think that was the case.

If the words she used didn't come across in the way she meant then I feel for Salma, because communicating is frustratingly hard sometimes. Still though, if her true feelings are as she stated I'm surprised someone who has been in the spotlight as long as she has didn't realize that kind of statement would cause a stir.

What's your take on Salma Hayek saying it's "awful" to be over 40 and not have any kids? Share with us in a comment below.

Photo: PR Photos

 

A look at stars who've opted to go the childless-by-choice route: