Selena Gomez, in a candid interview, reveals a heartbreaking obstacle she has faced: due to complications from lupus, she will not be able to carry her own children. Despite this setback, the actress and singer remains optimistic, exploring alternative avenues to become a mother.
Selena Gomez has always been open about her health struggles, including her battle with lupus and the mental health challenges she has faced. Now, for the first time, she has disclosed another deeply personal obstacle: her inability to carry her own children due to medical issues stemming from her lupus diagnosis.
Selena Gomez's Journey: Overcoming Lupus, Infertility, and Embracing Family Planning
In 2013, Gomez was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease that attacks healthy tissue. Complications from the disease led to a kidney transplant in 2017, when she was just 24 years old.
"I haven't ever said this before," Gomez confided to Vanity Fair. "But I unfortunately can't carry my own children. I have a lot of medical issues that would put my life and the baby's in jeopardy."
Selena Gomez's Journey: Overcoming Lupus, Infertility, and Embracing Family Planning
Gomez admitted that the realization was a difficult one to process. "That was something I had to grieve for a while," she said.
Despite the setback, Gomez remains positive and sees it as an opportunity to explore other options for family planning. "I'm in a much better place with that," she said. "I find it a blessing that there are wonderful people willing to do surrogacy or adoption, which are both huge possibilities for me."
Selena Gomez's Journey: Overcoming Lupus, Infertility, and Embracing Family Planning
Gomez's family has a connection to adoption, as her mother, Mandy Teefey, was adopted. "I probably wouldn't be here [if my mom wasn't adopted]," Gomez said. "I don't know what her life would've been like. She and I are very thankful for how life played out."
Gomez is grateful for the options available to her, recognizing that many women are also seeking alternative paths to motherhood. "It made me really thankful for the other outlets for people who are dying to be moms," she said. "I'm one of those people. I'm excited for what that journey will look like, but it'll look a little different. At the end of the day, I don't care. It'll be mine. It'll be my baby."
Selena Gomez's Journey: Overcoming Lupus, Infertility, and Embracing Family Planning
Before meeting her current boyfriend, music producer Benny Blanco, Gomez had been single for five years. Even as a single woman, she envisioned starting a family by age 35.
Gomez and Blanco began dating in 2023. They were initially friends before their relationship became romantic. "Before I met my boyfriend, I was single for five years, with the exception of going on a few dates," Gomez said. "And I was like, ‘OK, if this is the vibe, then what is the most important thing to me? Family.’"
Gomez's relationship with Blanco has been a positive force in her life. "I've never been loved this way," she said. "He's just been a light. A complete light in my life. He's my best friend. I love telling him everything."
Despite the strong connection, Gomez is not in a hurry to get married. "We always make sure we're protecting what we have, but there's no rules," she said. "I want him to always be himself. I always want to be myself."
Gomez remains steadfast in her decision not to change her name, regardless of future developments. "I'm not changing my name no matter what. I am Selena Gomez. That's it."
