Maria Menounos recently shared a deeply personal and emotional experience regarding a hurtful remark made by a close friend following her decision to welcome a baby through surrogacy. The 46-year-old former “Access Hollywood” correspondent opened up about feeling judged by this friend during an episode of the “Women in the Nude” podcast. This decision came after a challenging 10-year journey with infertility alongside her husband, movie producer Keven Undergaro.
Describing her shock and disappointment, Menounos recounted the moment her friend questioned the validity of her inability to carry a child. She expressed her disbelief at the friend’s insensitivity, sharing that the friend had said to her husband, “What do you mean she can’t carry? That doesn’t make any sense.” Menounos recalled the exchange, explaining that her husband had to reiterate the medical advice from a top neurosurgeon that led to their decision to pursue surrogacy. Despite this clarification, the friend persisted, stating, “I don’t get it. It just doesn’t make any sense.”
After being confronted with such judgment from someone she considered close, Menounos made the difficult choice to sever ties with the friend. Reflecting on the hurtful incident, Menounos expressed her bewilderment at being criticized by someone who was well aware of the couple’s struggles and journey. She emphasized the impact of facing judgment from someone within her inner circle, labeling it as “crazy” and unacceptable.
In June 2023, Menounos and Undergaro joyously welcomed their daughter, Athena, through a surrogate. Three months later, Menounos proudly shared a heartwarming photo of their family, beaming with happiness and gratitude. In the accompanying post, she expressed her desire to shield their daughter’s privacy while sharing the immense joy Athena brings to their lives daily.
The road to parenthood was not without its challenges for Menounos and Undergaro, as they navigated a decade-long battle with infertility while simultaneously confronting various health crises. Menounos courageously underwent surgery to remove a benign brain tumor in 2017, followed by a diagnosis of diabetes. In 2023, she revealed her resilience in facing another health scare, undergoing surgery to address a tumor linked to a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
Having experienced the loss of her mother to brain cancer in 2021, Menounos highlighted the role of positivity and gratitude in overcoming her medical adversities. She emphasized the importance of maintaining an optimistic outlook, even in the face of fear and uncertainty, crediting this mindset with helping her navigate challenging moments. In a candid interview, Menounos shared her belief in the power of positive thinking, acknowledging the tendency to succumb to fear while advocating for choosing positivity and gratitude as guiding principles.
Maria Menounos’ journey through infertility, health struggles, and ultimately embracing motherhood via surrogacy serves as a testament to her resilience, courage, and unwavering positivity in
