The universal desire of parents is to witness their children’s journey through life, but for some, this experience is tragically curtailed. Those who begin parenthood later in life often face a limited timeframe with their children, a reality that can be fleeting.Older parents frequently encounter societal judgment, as exemplified by the case of a 66-year-old woman whose pregnancy with twins caused considerable shock within her family circle.

Maria Carmen del Bousada, a Spanish retiree, harbored a lifelong aspiration for motherhood. Following her mother’s death, she decided to pursue this dream, justifying her unconventional choice by stating that circumstances forced her to take this path. Her pregnancy was kept secret until she could no longer conceal it, at which point her family expressed disbelief and accused her of selfishness.

To achieve her goal, Bousada underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF), misrepresenting her age to a California clinic. She even sold her home to finance the treatment. In 2006, she gave birth to twins, becoming the world’s oldest mother at the time.However, her joy was short-lived, as she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer shortly after giving birth, complicating her ability to care for her newborns. She remained devoted to her children, despite her illness, and opted not to disclose her condition to them due to their young age.

Bousada’s time as a mother was brief, as her hopes of finding a younger partner to assist in raising her children never materialized. Instead, her family stepped in to provide support. Tragically, she passed away in 2009, leaving her twins behind. She had held onto the belief that she would live to an advanced age, but her life took a different course.

Her brother, who had initially criticized her decision, assumed responsibility for raising the twins, expressing his love for them despite the controversy surrounding their birth. A close friend confirmed that the children were thriving under their family’s care.Bousada’s limited time with her children was a tragic consequence of her cancer diagnosis. Her friend lamented that she was not granted more time with them. In her final interviews, Bousada maintained that she did not regret her decision to become a mother, and it is hoped that her family will preserve her memory and share her remarkable story with her children.