Actor and fashion icon Sienna Miller, who is 43, just revealed she's expecting her third child, debuting her baby bump in a sheer, white gown at the Fashion Awards in London last night (Monday 1 December 2025). The new arrival will be Sienna's third, and her second with partner and fellow thespian Oli Green. But rather than congratulations, social media is awash with comments about Sienna daring to have a baby 'at her age' and for doing so with a man 14 years her junior... the same criticism she faced when she announced her previous pregnancy in 2023.
Speaking about her pregnancy on Vogue's podcast back then, Sienna said: "[People] are comfortable with a way of living that has existed for many years, which is very misogynistic and patriarchal. Me being the older woman in a partnership with a younger person or being pregnant over 40 – that's 'irresponsible' and 'the poor child' – it's such double standards, and I think it's so unquestioned in people's minds."
And that double standard was – and very much still is – obvious. Kelsey Grammer welcomed his eighth child at 70 years old in October 2025, while octogenarian Al Pacino welcomed a baby in the summer of 2023 with his then 29-year-old girlfriend, Noor Alfallah. In both cases, and the many others like it (think: Robert De Niro, Rod Stewart, the list goes on), eyebrows were raised, and jokes were made, but they were cushioned with a sort of 'go on, you old dog!' admiration from many, too.
There wasn't the same side-eyeing, shaming, or judgement that has been levelled at Sienna, in her experience, which is sad, as clearly she (much like Naomi Campbell, who happily became a mother for the first time at 50, or Meghan Markle, who had Princess Lilibet at the age of 39) is overjoyed to be expanding her family.
Can't we focus on that instead? On the joyful decision that Sienna and her supportive partner have made?
Perhaps part of the judgement stems from the 'you can't have a baby after 35' myth that stalks female fertility? Many widely believe that falling pregnant after the age of 35 is nigh on impossible or should be avoided at all costs, or else the baby will arrive with scales, feathers and three heads.
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However, the reality is that while the chance of miscarriage or delivering a baby with congenital defects does increase with age, it's still perfectly possible to have a healthy pregnancy and baby at the end of it. And more than ever, that's exactly what people are doing (the over-35 age group is the fastest growing when it comes to birthrates). The risk of genetic abnormalities also increases with age from the father's line, too, usually from between the ages of 40 and 45. Yet we rarely hear about that.
Biology aside, though: Sienna is quite literally pregnant right this minute. The baby is very much in there! The deed has been done! So it's weird that people are still bothering to bash their tiny little fists against keyboards to write things like "So SeLfiSh, KiD iS gOnNa Be BorN DeFecTiVe". Why not channel that energy into something positive, like a hearty message of congratulations? Or even, you know, educating yourself on basic biology?
During the podcast with Vogue, Sienna also said she's been forced into making jokes at her own expense – in an effort to beat others to the punchline. "I'd love to get to a point where I didn't feel the need to make a joke of my being older and having a baby, to show I'm in on the joke."
And she's exactly right. Why on earth should a healthy woman in a seemingly happy and stable relationship have to self-flagellate (even humorously) to make others feel comfortable? Because they can't handle the thought that she might dare to live her life in a way that doesn't conform to traditional milestones or expectations?
The frenzied ageism sucks. We are so often told that a woman's worth and appeal decrease along with her egg supply, but that couldn't be further from the truth.
Instead of berating those who become mothers after 35, or who flip relationship 'norms' on their head... why don't we just, I don't know, not be dicks? And try giving them a round of applause instead (or at the very least just stay silent). After all, they're paving the way for millions of others who are also waiting to find the right person, or until they're financially, emotionally or mentally ready to have a child, which isn't something we can schedule.
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
