She Doesn’t Care About Her Age, Eight Kids Born After 53
On March 19, 2023, at Charité Hospital in Berlin, a new life arrived: a baby boy named Philipp. The moment Philipp was born, he made headlines worldwide thanks to his mother, Alexandra Hildebrandt.
Who is Alexandra Hildebrandt?
Alexandra Hildebrandt, a well-known public figure in Germany, is the director of the Berlin Wall Museum, one of the most successful museums in Europe. She is also an active human rights advocate. Beyond her professional achievements, Alexandra’s personal life has drawn considerable attention. 
At 66 years old, Alexandra has now had 10 children, including Philipp. Of these, eight were born after she turned 53.
Experts claim that the chances of conceiving naturally at her age are almost non-existent. Statistics show that women over 45 have less than a 5% chance of pregnancy, and most will need medical intervention, such as hormone treatments or in vitro fertilization (IVF), to conceive. However, Alexandra conceived naturally, giving birth to one “miracle baby” after another, making her a recurring feature in news stories.
Alexandra’s Family Journey
Alexandra’s journey through motherhood began in 1977 when she gave birth to her first child, Svitlana, who is now 46 years old. Ten years later, she welcomed her second child, Artiom, now 36.
She has experienced two marriages. Her first husband was Rainer Hildebrandt, the founder of the Berlin Wall Museum. The two were 45 years apart and married in 1995. However, they did not have children, and Rainer passed away in 2004.
After his death, Alexandra threw herself into managing the Berlin Wall Museum, where she received substantial help from Daniel Dormann, a politician from the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU). As time passed, they developed feelings for each other and married in 2016. Together, they have eight children, all born after Alexandra turned 53:
- Twins Elisabeth and Maximilian, both 12 years old.
- Alexandra, 10 years old.
- Leopold, 8 years old.
- Anna, 7 years old.
- Maria, 4 years old.
- Katharina, 2 years old.
- Philipp, born this month.
The Challenge of Advanced Age Motherhood
Being an older mother has brought its fair share of controversy, with many questioning why Alexandra would take the risk of having so many children at her age. However, Alexandra has always dreamed of a large family, believing that “a big family is not only beautiful, but also helps in raising children properly.” She is indifferent to her age, stating, “What does the age on my ID matter? The important thing is my biological age, I feel like I’m 35.”
Perhaps Alexandra’s body is indeed exceptional. She manages the museum, cares for a large family, and still finds time to swim for an hour and walk for two each day. She also avoids smoking and drinking, maintaining a healthy diet. She believes her body is much stronger than her peers’.
Alexandra has mentioned that she has never used contraception and at 66, she “had no difficulty” conceiving her 10th child naturally, without any medical assistance or medication.
Medical Concerns During Pregnancy
During her recent pregnancy, doctors were initially concerned. Alexandra had previously given birth to seven children by cesarean section. Considering her age and the number of previous cesareans, the risks were high. Obstetricians see this as an exceptionally rare case, and it presented challenges.
“As women age, the risks of premature birth, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and adhesions significantly rise. This is especially true for women who have had multiple cesarean sections,” one expert explained. Another expert added that it is “extremely unlikely” that a woman of Alexandra’s age would go through pregnancy and childbirth without complications. Additionally, the risks of chromosomal abnormalities (like Down syndrome) also increase.
Philipp’s Healthy Arrival
Despite these challenges, Alexandra and her newborn son Philipp broke the norm. Last week, she underwent another cesarean section, and Philipp was born weighing 3.5 kilograms and is in good health.
Doctors have confirmed that Alexandra experienced “no major complications” during her pregnancy, attributing it to her “excellent physical condition and mental resilience.”
Her friends and family were thrilled for her. To accommodate the growing family, Alexandra and her husband recently purchased a new home so that each child can have their own room.
Public Reaction and Mixed Opinions
Many netizens congratulated Alexandra, commenting that she looks far younger than her age and should be able to accompany her children for another 30 years. Some shared personal stories about older women having children naturally, attributing it to healthy living.
However, others criticized her for being selfish, expressing concerns about her age. They feared that her children might face the pain of losing her too soon.
“Her children will face a terrible life,” one comment read. “She’s already living on borrowed time.”
Others questioned the future, saying, “If she lives another 10 years, the children are lucky. She even has a two-year-old! How selfish can one be?”
Despite these criticisms, Alexandra has clearly thought about these issues before deciding to continue having children, and she’s dedicated to raising them well.
Conclusion
Alexandra Hildebrandt’s journey as an older mother challenges societal expectations and the typical narrative around age and pregnancy. Her natural pregnancies, despite the odds, continue to defy conventional wisdom and spark widespread discussion about aging, health, and the choices we make in life.
