Brooke Shields is a mother of two. Her eldest daughter Rowan was conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF). The two have now spoken openly about it.
Before Brooke Shields became a mother, she underwent IVF seven times. Thanks to the artificial insemination, the actress finally became a mother in 2003, giving birth to her daughter Rowan Francis Henchy. Her second daughter, Grier Hammond, was conceived naturally. This is a topic openly discussed within the family, as revealed in a joint interview with the US magazine “People.”
“Without IVF, I wouldn’t be here”
In the interview, Shields’ daughters admire their mother’s openness about IVF. “Without the IVF, I wouldn’t be here,” Rowan emphasizes. “I was frozen for two years, and I believe Mom talked to us about it from a young age, so we are now aware of it. It’s an important conversation for young women.”
Brooke Shields agrees. She notes that many women from her generation and the current one often focus solely on their careers—”and that takes time and years, and then you reach a point, you’re in your thirties, and suddenly problems can start. That’s why I always ask people: ‘Have you frozen your eggs?’ It’s also an important topic for young women.”
Her daughter Rowan, who is currently in her final year of college, also joked: “The other night she looked at me and said, ‘Your graduation gift is freezing your eggs,’ and I just said: ‘Mom …'”
“It’s not their fault”
The 59-year-old Shields is open not only about artificial insemination but also about postpartum depression. In 2005, she wrote about it in her book “Down Came the Rain.” At that time, she was one of the first prominent women to report her struggle with feelings of sadness and hopelessness after childbirth. Rowan believes her mother’s book “changed the lives of many women.” She sees it as having a positive outcome from “something so terrible” and feels a stronger connection to her mother because of what she went through.
Brooke Shields emphasized that the book is also important for her two daughters. They, too, could be affected if they have children someday. “It’s just a tool—to help them recognize if something is wrong, that it’s normal and should be addressed. There’s nothing wrong with them. It’s not their fault, and that’s what I wanted to convey to them later in life.”
Turbulent love with Andre Agassi
Since 2001, Brooke Shields has been married to screenwriter and film producer Chris Henchy, with whom she has her two daughters. Previously, she was married to tennis star Andre Agassi. The marriage lasted from 1997 to 1999 and remained childless. Brooke Shields is candid about personal details of her life. Last year, she also discussed her turbulent relationship with Andre Agassi.
For instance, the athlete reportedly lost his temper after seeing a scene from “Friends” in which his girlfriend appeared. Brooke Shields had taken on the role of the stalker Erika, who pursues Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) in an episode of the cult series. In one scene, she had to lick his finger. After the scene, the tennis star stormed out of the studio in a rage. When the couple was back home, Andre Agassi reportedly “smashed all his trophies,” according to Shields.
The couple separated at the end of the 1990s. Brooke Shields kept the wedding dress she wore in 1997. Recently, her younger daughter Grier Hammond wore it to her prom.
