Hilary Swank has opened up about becoming pregnant at 52, saying she has long trusted the belief that “things happen in their time, not ours.”
The Oscar-winning actress revealed on Wednesday that she is expecting her third child with husband Philip Schneider, 53. The couple became parents to twins Ohm and Aya three years ago.
After sharing the pregnancy announcement on Instagram, Hilary received an emotional wave of congratulations. Many women said her pregnancy in her fifties had renewed their hope that motherhood and other life dreams can still happen later than expected.
One follower wrote: “At 39, I’m still single and childless. You are literally giving me hope that the life I want could still happen for me.”
Hilary replied with an encouraging message, writing: “It can! I always go by the adage, things happen in their time, not ours, and that has always been the case for me.”
She added: “But of course trusting that, for me, has always been the hardest part. Wishing you unwavering trust and abundant beauty on your journey!”
Hilary Swank has discussed her belief that “things happen in their time, not ours” while speaking about her pregnancy at 52; pictured during her pregnancy with twins in February 2023
In a 2025 interview with Women’s Health magazine, Hilary reflected on her fertility journey. She said she froze her eggs at 37, became pregnant with her twins at 47 and welcomed them at the age of 48.
“I would have had kids earlier. I’m not saying I actively waited until 47,” she explained. “But that was a magical time in my life, when it all culminated. It was the right time for myriad reasons.”
Hilary described being able to preserve her eggs for the future as one of the most significant steps she took while keeping open the possibility of becoming a mother. In her view, the option helped ease some of the pressure surrounding fertility and timing.
The actress also said she feels grateful to have become a mother later in life, adding that she does not believe she would have parented in the same way when she was younger.
“I’m a very different parent than I would’ve been, even in my early 40s,” she told the magazine.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: RHOSLC Recap: Bronwyn Kicks Lisa and Meredith Out After Diss Track Performance as Heather Questions Brandon’s Role and Whitney Opens Up About Marriage Struggles
“I’m much more patient. I’m much more understanding. I am much more, I think, interested in a different way than I would’ve been.”
“I’m really interested in their brains. I’m fascinated about what makes them tick. And I have my career that’s already established, so I’m not divided.”
Hilary’s Instagram pregnancy announcement prompted an outpouring of messages from women who said her later-in-life pregnancy gave them hope, including one follower to whom she responded
The actress announced on Wednesday that she is expecting her third child, following the arrival of twins Ohm and Aya with husband Philip Schneider, 53, in 2023; pictured in 2023
In April 2023, Hilary revealed that she had welcomed twins: a son named Ohm and a daughter named Aya
“I’m able to really sink in and be present with them and be a hands-on parent.”
Hilary won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2005 after delivering an acclaimed performance in Clint Eastwood’s boxing drama Million Dollar Baby, which earned $216.8 million worldwide.
She married her husband, a “social venture entrepreneur,” in 2018. The pair first met on a blind date in November 2016, five months after Hilary called off a three-month engagement to former professional tennis player Ruben Torres.
The actress took to Instagram on Wednesday to post a cute video with the caption: ‘A lot of people have been asking what project I’m doing next, this one releases in December.’
She made her pregnancy announcement by participating in the TikTok dance trend of taping neon glowsticks onto dark clothing to create a glowing stick-figure.
Her husband Philip, 53, and their two children could be seen participating when the surprise was revealed as there was a small glowstick figure over her belly to reveal the pregnancy.