Halle Berry just might be the most badass mom on screen thanks to her role in the 2017 movie, “Kidnap,” but does she have kids in real life?
Actress Halle Berry has spent over three decades in the spotlight pursuing her acting dreams. Her effort certainly paid off, with movies like “X-Men,” “Kidnap,” and “Cat Woman” setting her up for a life of stardom. However, this stardom almost came at the expense of her personal life.
Thankfully, the icon changed the course of her life in the nick of time, slowing down a little to start a family in her forties. Over a decade later, how far has she gone in her motherhood pursuits?
Does Halle Berry Have Kids?
Yes, Halle Berry is a mother to two adorable children aged 14 and eight respectively. She welcomed her first child, Nahla Ariela Aubrey in 2008, managing to pull it off seamlessly despite being 41 at the time.
Five years later, the actress repeated the incredible feat, welcoming son Maceo Robert Martinez in 2013. Her pregnancy at 46 made the actress at the time some sort of medical miracle.
Notably, the actress shares her kids with two different men. Her first, Nahla came from her relationship with model Gabriel Aubrey, while she shares her son Maceo with a French actor and third husband Oliver Martinez.
Halle Berry As A First-Time Mom
After surviving two marriages, Halle Berry kicked off her relationship with model Gabriel Aubrey in 2005. Two years into their relationship, the couple announced they were expecting a baby in September 2007.
The announcement raised questions surrounding her safety amid the geriatric pregnancy. Thankfully, the baby arrived on March 16, 2008, with the actress confirming she had a normal vaginal delivery.
Prior to Nahla’s arrival, no one knew the expected gender of the baby, as Berry opted for a “delivery surprise.” Explaining the reason behind her decision, the mom of three said:
“We have a whole life to know what it is. There’s so few surprises in life anymore — why not have a huge surprise? I like fantasizing that one day it’s a girl, or one day it’s a boy.”
Her Second Child’s Arrival Sparked Debate
Following her breakup from Aubrey, Halle Berry moved on to French actor Oliver Martinez, who eventually became her husband. In October 2013, the twosome welcomed their son Maceo Martinez.
Berry, who was 46 at the time, shocked the world with the news. Ultimately, several theories surrounding the possibility of conceiving naturally at that age surfaced.
While many believed it unlikely that she conceived by natural means without the assistance of a reproductive specialist, Berry remained mum on the subject.
Notwithstanding, she opened up about her experience as a second-time mom, describing it as the biggest surprise of her life.
Halle Berry Enjoyed Her Pregnancies
Unlike most celebrities, Halle Berry has a unique stance on pregnancy and child-bearing. The actress has been open about her love for pregnancy, admitting she felt her sexiest during both her pregnancies.
Aside from the tummy bulge and other physical changes that came with being pregnant, Berry relished the hormonal changes happening in her body. She once admitted:
“If I hadn’t been busy trying to make movies, I would have been the perfect surrogate. All the hormones made me feel amazing. I was so alive with my purpose and my femininity. It felt like my body was doing what it was built to do.”
Notwithstanding, Halle Berry does not have intentions of welcoming more kids now or in the future. In the same interview, she admitted that she would have birthed five more kids had she started earlier.
She Is Just Like Any Other Mom
Celebrity or not, it is business as usual in Halle Berry’s household, with her kids going through various phases of their childhood. And that includes the rebellious phase and the self-discovery phase.
Addressing how her kids cope with her fame, the 55-year-old said her children barely knew her identity outside the home. However, growing older has given them some an idea, which they do not hesitate to exploit.
She once explained how her son got a kick from embarrassing her in public by calling her full name. While he had no idea why he knew it triggered reactions from people.
Berry also admitted her daughter had no idea she was famous for the longest time until she eventually learnt it from her peers. Even at that, the little ones do not seem to care, opting to simply see her as their mom.
She Dedicated 10 Years To Motherhood
Taking a break from everything else to focus on motherhood might have oppo paid off, but Halle Berry knew she could only stay away for so long. Hence, after a ten-year hiatus from acting, the star felt ready to return to the movie scenes, taking a break from “the mom mode.” She once reflected:
“I want to keep challenging myself and proving that I can still follow my passions, take risks, and take on characters who make me feel alive. But I prove that to myself, not to anyone else. I think that’s what keeps us young. It keeps me connected to my children because I’m alive in the world.”
The actress’ career has progressed exponentially ever since. She has starred in several hit movies and TV shows, snagged numerous awards and reached the peak of her Hollywood stardom, all while parenting two children as a single mom.
Berry’s Definition Of Motherhood Goals
Interestingly, Halle Berry does not aim to be the perfect mom to her kids, who each have a mind of their own. Rather, she hopes someday the duo would look back, reflect on her impact on their lives and tag her as a good mom. She divulged:
“The only thing I want at the end of the day is for my children to say, ‘You weren’t perfect, you didn’t do everything right, but you were a good mom.'”
To fulfil that sole motherhood goal, the mom of two strives to raise her kids right, limiting their exposure to the spotlight. She also imbibed in them invaluable nuggets that could guide them through their life’s path.
So far, she is faring well in that regard, even while trying to balance acting and motherhood. Berry has been open about the challenges of trying to balance both sides of her, and how she finally found that middle ground.
The harshness of reality overwhelmed her in the mid-10s while nursing Maceo amid transitioning from film to television. Thankfully, the “Extant” star managed to pull through single-handedly.
Becoming A Better Mom
These days, she has help from her latest partner, Van Hunt. During an interview in November 2021, Halle Berry admitted her relationship with Hunt helped her become a better mom to her kids. She quipped:
“I’m a much better mother in this circumstance than I would have been had I stayed in a romantic relationship that didn’t serve me and didn’t make me feel the way I need to feel as a woman.”
Fans may have a little idea of what she meant by “relationships which didn’t serve her,” given her scandalous dating history.
Her relationship with ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubrey, who has famous figures like Kim Kardashian in his dating history, especially ended on a bad note, followed by a bitter drama and a court order requesting Berry to pay bogus sums in child support. Coupled with her three failed marriages and challenging journey to motherhood, Berry indeed deserves her happy ending.