Having children after 40 is increasingly common. Since 2023, births to women over 40 in the U.S. have exceeded those to teenagers. Celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Sienna Miller, and Natalie Portman contribute to the normalization by proudly showing their pregnancies.
Historically, older parents were less common. In the ’90s and 2000s, first-time mothers tended to be younger. Zella Whitfield, 24, understands this shift. Her parents were 47 when she was born in the early 2000s. Now 72, her mother represents a growing trend.
Whitfield, a model from Cornwall, England, emphasizes her unique upbringing. Conceived naturally, she grew up without considering her parents’ age until her teenage years. “I never really thought about the fact my parents were much older,” she said. Connecting with other parents was challenging for her mother, who was often 15 years older than them.
Online, Whitfield shares her experiences. Her story attracts attention due to its controversial nature. On TikTok and Instagram as @imzelfish, she received mixed reactions. While some criticize older parenting, Whitfield disagrees. “Mine were so wise and had so much life experience,” she said, valuing her upbringing and relationship with a sister nearly 20 years older.
“I’m 24 and My Mom Is 72”
Whitfield appreciates her family yet openly discusses age-gap challenges. “The first bad one is the obvious one, that I get less time with them,” she shared, having lost her father earlier this year. She accepts losing parents earlier than peers.
Despite fewer years with her parents, Whitfield noted the stability they provided. “I had an extremely stable childhood,” she said. Her parents’ established careers meant fewer struggles compared to younger parents. “Mine already had everything figured out,” she added.
Yet, stability brought friction, especially with technology and social norms. “I felt they were out of touch,” she recalled. The internet and social media weren’t part of her parents’ world. Her father’s mindset remained in the 1970s, requiring constant reminders to adjust his views.
Extended family was another concern. “I never knew my grandparents,” she said. Losing her last grandparent at age five, she lacked family her age.
Shifting Demographics: More Older Mothers
Whitfield’s story aligns with broader trends. The mean age of U.S. mothers rose from 28.7 in 2016 to 29.6 in 2023, per National Vital Statistics Reports. Births among women aged 40-49 increased 24 percent from 2015 to 2024, with a rise to 4.3 percent of total births, tripling since 1990.
These statistics reflect Whitfield’s lifetime experience. Her upbringing, shaped by older parents, became a defining feature of her identity.