Tyra Banks: Struggle to conceive has been "traumatic"

by

Carolyn Robertson

posted in Celebrities

Tyra Banks has always wanted to be a mom.

Now 41 years old, the successful model and businesswoman tearfully reveals that she is still hoping her dream of starting a family will one day come true.

"Since I was 24, I used to say every year, 'I will have kids in three years,'" Tyra tells PEOPLE. "I kept saying it over and over again. Because my business is very entrepreneurial. I'm not for hire, so I have to do everything. I kept trying to find that time for that to happen."

The years passed and while getting pregnant remained a big part of Tyra's plan, her hectic career showed no signs of slowing down. Eventually she realized there was no time like the present to make the leap into motherhood.

Unfortunately, though, conceiving a child has proven to be much harder than she'd anticipated.

"When you're like, 'OK, I'm just going to do it,' then it's not so easy as you get older," says Tyra, who went on to reveal that she's undergone in vitro fertilization. "I've had some not happy moments with that, very traumatic moments. It's difficult as you get older. It's not something that can just happen."

Despite that heartache, the America's Next Top Model star, who has been in a relationship with photographer Erik Asla for the past two years, says she definitely hasn't given up.

"I hope [for kids]," gushes Tyra, who's also spoken in the past of her desire to adopt. "I don't just want one child. I want a litter! And I want to be the kind of mom where my child can come to me for anything."

My heart really goes out to Tyra, and to any hopeful parents who find themselves struggling to start a family. The decision to have a child is a monumental one, but sometimes it turns out to be just the first step of a long and difficult journey.

Here's hoping Tyra's baby wish comes true very soon.

Tyra isn't alone. These celebrities have also shared stories of infertility and loss...

Photo: PR Photos