Hilary Swank on Being a Mother to Twin Babies at 50: ‘It’s Such a Blessing’

Hilary Swank attends the Cadillac Oscar Week Celebration in Los Angeles on Feb. 21, 2019. Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Cadillac

Actress Hilary Swank is embracing life and motherhood at 50, opening up about her experience after welcoming twins Aya and Ohm last year.

During a Dec. 25 interview on “Today with Hoda and Jenna,” Swank expressed how grateful she feels to be able to share major milestones with her 20-month-olds, especially around the holidays.

“Last year was technically their first Christmas, but they were completely unaware. This time, they saw a tree with lights,” she said.

“It makes every time of year more special. ... Every day with them is so divine. It’s such a blessing, and I feel so grateful and I’m so happy.”

Best known for powerful performances in films like “Million Dollar Baby” and “Freedom Writers,” Swank has always been career-driven, but her perspective has shifted since becoming a mom.

“Everything is new again. ... You hear that, but until you experience it you’re like, ‘What does that even mean?’ But now I know,” she said.

The Oscar-winner welcomed her babies with husband Philip Schneider in April 2023, and despite turning 50 earlier this year, feels that age is simply a number.

“I was just saying to my friend, not five minutes ago before getting here, I feel like I’m 30 because I have 20-month-old babies,” she said.

Swank’s decision to have children later in life has opened up a much bigger conversation surrounding age and fertility, as well as the challenges of balancing her high-profile career.

However, the actress said she would not have it any other way, citing the many benefits of being an older parent, such as time and flexibility for her children and her mental capacity.

“The person that I was in my 20s and even into my 30s would’ve been a very different mom than I am now,” she told Business Insider back in September.

“I’m in a place where I just have a lot more patience and a lot more grace to give, not just my children, but others around me. ... I can give them so much more than I could have at that point,” she said.

The older she got, the more Swank evolved and found comfort in the things that truly matter in life, she said.

Other celebrities such as Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry, and Jennifer Lopez have also had children in their 40s and 50s, reminding others that every journey to motherhood is unique.

With nearly 60 film and television credits in her three-decade career, Swank rose to prominence in 1999 with her breakthrough role in “Boys Don’t Cry,” earning the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Her other work includes “P.S. I Love You,” “Logan Lucky,” “Ordinary Angels,” “The Homesman,” and she recently led the ABC drama series “Alaska Daily,” where she also ventured behind the scenes, serving as executive producer.

Swank is set to appear in season 3 of the Paramount+ with Showtime thriller series “Yellowjackets,” alongside recurring cast members Melanie Lynskey, Sophie Nélisse, Juliette Lewis, and Christina Ricci, among others.

A premiere date has yet to be set, with episodes currently in production.