Hilary Swank’s life is like a real-life Cinderella story. From a humble beginning, she worked tirelessly to reach the pinnacle of Hollywood, all while caring for her ailing father. After decades of supporting others, fate finally aligned, allowing her to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a mother. Recently, at the age of 48, Swank celebrated the birth of healthy twins. However, amidst the joyous occasion, online trolls couldn’t resist casting a dark shadow of unsolicited opinions over this beautiful moment.
Swank gained major prominence in Hollywood after her extraordinary performance as a transgender man in the film “Boys Don’t Cry” (1999). This role earned her multiple awards, including her first Oscar and Golden Globe. Her previous films such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1992) and “The Next Karate Kid” (1994) also showcased her talent. However, it was her portrayal of Maggie in the inspirational sports drama “Million Dollar Baby” that truly captivated audiences. Clint Eastwood directed the film and also starred alongside Swank, as did Morgan Freeman.
In “Million Dollar Baby,” Swank’s character, an amateur boxer, struggles for a title with the World Boxing Association but tragically dies after an illegal sucker punch in a million-dollar match. Swank’s real-life achievements mirrored her character’s success, as she won Best Lead awards at both the Oscars and Golden Globes. Her journey is truly a modern-day Cinderella story.
Swank’s meteoric rise to fame is a testament to her resilience and determination. As she said in her Oscar speech for “Million Dollar Baby,” “I’m just a girl from a trailer park who had a dream.” Growing up in poverty and a trailer park, Swank’s mother sacrificed her own dreams to support her daughter’s aspirations. From a young age, Swank was a hard worker, and her relentless pursuit of success eventually paid off.
In 2014, Swank put her wildly successful career on hold to become a caregiver for her father, Stephen Michael Swank. He was an Air Force and Air National Guard veteran in need of a risky lung transplant. Initially planning for a one-year break, Swank’s hiatus turned into three years as her father’s recovery process became protracted. During this time, she didn’t sit idly by – she launched a new project, Mission Statement, a clothing line offering high-performance and high-fashion designs for women.
Even while caring for her father, Swank remained committed to her craft. Her love for family shines in her choice of roles. In her first film after her three-year break, “What They Had” (2018), Swank portrays a woman dealing with her mother’s journey through Alzheimer’s. She then returned to filming around the world, appearing in movies such as the 2020 horror film “The Hunt” and the Netflix sci-fi series “Away.” She also played the role of a high-profile journalist living in Anchorage in “Alaska Daily.”
Beyond her acting career, Swank generously dedicates her time to various causes. She advocates for cancer research and animal welfare, exemplified by her foundation, Hilaroo. The foundation pairs at-risk teenagers with rescue animals, fostering mutual healing. Animals have always held a special place in Swank’s heart, as they saw her for who she truly is, without judgment. In an interview with Health magazine, she expressed, “None of [the animals] looked at me for anything other than who I am. They quickly became apparent that they were going to be by my side and a part of my journey forever. They touch my heart in a way that a lot of humans can’t.”
Finding love wasn’t easy for Swank, as her nature was to care for others before herself – a trait she inherited from her mother. Her first marriage to Chad Lowe, the younger brother of celebrity Rob Lowe, ended in divorce due to his struggles with substance abuse. Reflecting on this, Swank realized the importance of taking care of herself. In an interview with Vanity Fair, she shared, “My pattern is that I’ve taken care of everyone. I took care of my mom; I took care of my dad; I took care of Chad. And I don’t want to carry that anymore. It’s a big habit to break, but in the end, I sacrificed part of myself.”
Swank’s father played an unexpected role in helping her find a good partner. She mentioned in an interview with USA Today that having her ailing father live with her served as a litmus test for potential suitors. Those who couldn’t handle the situation revealed themselves quickly. It was during this time that Swank met and married her husband, Phillip Schneider, an entrepreneur. They tied the knot in 2018, two years after their first meeting.
Everything started coming together for Swank, and in October 2022, she announced her pregnancy with much surprise. Even the crew of her show “Alaska Daily” had no idea. Swank continued to film while pregnant, disguising her growing belly with self-tailored clothing. She even convinced her co-workers that she needed a stunt double for certain activities due to her supposed clumsiness.
Describing her pregnancy as a “geriatric pregnancy,” Swank shared in an interview with Extra TV, “I was having a career and not having the right relationship until… four years ago, and all the elements needed to come together and be right.” She wasn’t too surprised that she was having twins, as she had predicted as a little girl that she would be a mother of two. Moreover, both her and her husband’s grandmothers were twins, increasing the likelihood of her having twins.
Throughout her pregnancy, Swank received positive support from other women in their 40s who found hope in her journey. As she said in an interview with ET, “It’s just nice to see a lot of women in their 40s going, ‘You gave me hope’ because once you really believe something can happen, you have a different thought pattern, you know what I mean? You get out of your way.”
Swank’s journey is one of strength, resilience, and love. She has handled her father’s passing, pregnancy at 48, and a demanding work schedule with grace and poise. Instead of congratulating her on this remarkable chapter in her life, some people decided to attack her for choosing to be a mother at an “older” age. However, it’s important to recognize that women nowadays are giving birth later in life for various reasons.
A 2018 study by Pew Research revealed that more women are having babies in their later years. This trend is attributed to increases in educational attainment, women’s labor force participation, and delays in marriage. Given these social and cultural shifts, it’s likely that the postponement of childbearing will continue.
Swank is not the only celebrity in her 40s to successfully give birth to healthy babies. Halle Berry, Cameron Diaz, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, Susan Sarandon, Janet Jackson, and Beverly D’Angelo are just a few examples of women who also became mothers later in life. The age at which a woman becomes a mother is far less important than the love and care she provides to her children.
Women, regardless of their age, should be celebrated for their journey into motherhood. It’s heartwarming to hear about all the wonderful babies who have the opportunity to grow up in a home filled with love. Let us know what you think about Hilary Swank becoming a mother at 48!
