At 66, Berlin Museum Head Welcomes Her Tenth Child, Says Pregnancy Was Natural
Berlin, Germany — March 19. Alexandra Hildebrandt, a 66-year-old museum director, has welcomed her tenth child, a baby boy, after delivering by caesarean section at Berlin’s Charité Hospital. According to Hildebrandt, the pregnancy occurred without the use of fertility treatments. Her son, Philipp, was born weighing 7 lb 13 oz and is reported to be in good health.
With Philipp’s arrival, Hildebrandt’s children now range in age from mid-forties to newborn. Her eldest, Svitlana, is 46, followed by Artiom, 36; twins Elisabeth and Maximilian, 12; Alexandra, 10; Leopold, 8; Anna, 7; Maria, 4; Katharina, 2; and now baby Philipp. Hildebrandt says her large family is central to her identity and life’s purpose.
“A big family is something truly special,” she told local media. “It’s meaningful, and I believe it plays an important role in raising children well.”
Her obstetrician, Dr. Wolfgang Henrich, said the pregnancy progressed smoothly overall, despite Hildebrandt’s age. She credits her good health to a strict lifestyle that includes avoiding alcohol and cigarettes and maintaining a consistent exercise routine. According to Hildebrandt, she swims for an hour daily and walks for up to two hours each day.
Medical experts, while acknowledging the successful birth, emphasize that natural conception at such an advanced age is extremely rare. Specialists note that pregnancies later in life carry increased risks, including high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, premature delivery, and chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome. In uncommon cases, factors like unusually late menopause or medical conditions that delay reproductive aging may play a role, though doctors stress these situations are exceptional.
Hildebrandt’s announcement comes amid ongoing public discussion about pregnancies later in life, particularly following several high-profile cases involving older mothers—many of whom conceived through IVF. For Hildebrandt, however, the focus remains personal.
She says her family and friends have responded with encouragement and warmth, and that welcoming Philipp has reinforced her belief that love, commitment, and the desire to nurture do not have an expiration date.
