Anne Hathaway, a devoted mother of two, has fully embraced the joys and challenges of motherhood. However, her path to becoming a parent was fraught with obstacles and learning experiences. She opened up about it and the discoveries she made in the aftermath to offer solace to others navigating similar trials, reminding them that they are not alone.
Anne Hathaway attends the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Anne Hathaway is today recognized as an iconic Hollywood star, with several decades of experience under her belt and numerous acting credits to her name, including “The Intern,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “One Day,” and “Get Smart,” among many others.
Anne Hathaway during The 63rd International Venice Film Festival – “The Devil Wears Prada” – Arrivals at Veneto Italy in Venice, Italy | Source: Getty Images
Besides a prolific career, that has seen her win an Oscar for her performance in “Les Misérables,” she is also a wife, married to Adam Shulman since 2012, and a mom of two. And yet, her journey to motherhood wasn’t always easy. Hathaway’s journey, marked by its fair share of sorrow and resilience, shed light on the often silent struggles many women face.
Anne Hathaway attends the National Board Of Review 2024 Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on January 11, 2024 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
In 2019, Hathaway took to Instagram to announce her second pregnancy with a poignant message that resonated deeply with women undergoing their own fertility battles.
She posted a black-and-white photo of her baby bump, accompanied by the words, “It’s not for a movie…. All kidding aside, for everyone going through infertility and conception hell, please know it was not a straight line to either of my pregnancies. Sending you extra love.”
Years later, during a sit-down with Vanity Fair, she let her vulnerability and openness about her miscarriage in 2015 truly define her spirit. She revealed that the pain of losing a pregnancy while performing in the one-woman off-Broadway show “Grounded,” where her role ironically required her to give birth onstage nightly, was a burden too heavy to bear in silence.
She shared her ordeal with friends visiting backstage, highlighting the importance of authenticity and the healing power of sharing one’s truth. Hathaway’s revelation about her miscarriage and the struggles that followed her path to motherhood sparked a much-needed conversation about the realities of pregnancy loss, a topic often shrouded in silence and stigma.
She learned that as many as 50 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage and was astounded by the lack of widespread discussion and information on the subject, prompting her to break the silence and share her experience publicly. This decision to speak openly not only challenged the taboos surrounding miscarriage but also offered solace to countless women feeling isolated in their grief.
Through her Instagram post and subsequent discussions, Hathaway aimed to dismantle the shame and isolation associated with fertility struggles, emphasizing that such experiences are more common than many realize.
Her willingness to share her story has not only fostered a community of support and understanding but has also transformed her approach to parenting. Embracing empathy, resilience, and a profound sense of connectedness, Hathaway’s journey has taught her the invaluable lessons of compassion and the strength found in vulnerability.
Actress Anne Hathaway attends the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards on February 25, 2024 in Santa Monica, California | Source: Getty Images
Hathaway’s fertility journey brings out the transformative power of sharing one’s experiences, especially those marked by loss and hope. By candidly addressing her struggles and offering support to others, Hathaway has illuminated the path for many, turning her personal pain into a collective healing process.
In doing so, she continues to inspire and comfort women navigating their own journeys, proving that even in the face of adversity, there is always a way to bring light to others.
In 2023, she opened up about post-partum and the challenges that came with that territory. She disclosed that having her two sons, Jack and Jonathan, helped her appreciate her body more. She discovered that it took three years for a woman’s body to fully recover from a pregnancy, a truth she says made her feel a lot better.
“I didn’t snap back. I want to [be] very, very clear about that. With my second, it took every minute of those three years. And it’s cool. Let your body be a body.” she shared, adding, “There’s nowhere to get to. It’s just now. Just be present, and take care of yourself, and don’t set expectations.”
In an engaging appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” when her son Jonathan was just three years old, Hathaway shared a light-hearted moment with the host about her choice of name for her child. They playfully noted that “Jonathan” wasn’t the quintessential celebrity baby name, with Hathaway quipping that it was a name you could confidently trust with your money.
The conversation then veered into the amusement she found during her pregnancy, particularly when teasing friends about potential baby names. She would suggest outlandish names just to gauge their reactions, revealing the joy and humor she embraced amidst the anticipation of motherhood.
Anne Hathaway and Adam Shulman arrive to the Vanity Fair Party following the 88th Academy Awards at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills Sunday evening, February 28, 2016. | Source: Getty Images
The actress also expressed that motherhood has been her biggest shift and a determining factor for what films she wants to appear in. Her priorities are now different and she has had to reevaluate the importance of a film “because something really has to be so excellent to spend time away from them because they’re so precious to me.”
Actress Anne Hathaway and Adam Shulman are seen walking with son Jonathan in Midtown on October 24, 2016 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
In the aftermath of her struggles and the gift of motherhood she now embraces, Anne Hathaway, who once was extremely critical of herself, now adopts a more forgiving approach. “I go easy on myself,” she said of her guiding principle, applicable to both her professional life and personal style decisions.
She has discovered that such an approach is not only essential for her health but also paramount in the way she raises her children and connects with her family.
