Becoming a parent is a life-changing moment filled with joy and responsibility. The birth of a child marks the beginning of a journey where you dedicate yourself to providing them with the best environment to thrive. Adriana Iliescu experienced this joy when she welcomed her first child in 2005, but her story was far from ordinary. At 66 years old, her pregnancy sparked widespread media attention.
Adriana was overjoyed with the arrival of her daughter, Eliza. However, her happiness was clouded by criticism from the public, who questioned her decision to become a mother at such an advanced age. After staying out of the spotlight for years, recent images of Eliza have reignited interest in Adriana’s journey.
A Historic Birth
Eliza Iliescu was born in Romania in 2005, a moment that made history. Adriana, at 66, became the oldest mother in the world, earning a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. While this achievement brought her fame, it also attracted harsh criticism.
In 2010, Adriana opened up about the backlash she faced. Critics labeled her as selfish and questioned her ability to raise a child due to her age. However, Adriana defended herself, saying, “The mirror may be cruel, but by my vitality, I’d say I’m a young lady. I don’t feel my age at all.”
At 71, Adriana even expressed the possibility of having another child. “Medically, it’s possible,” she said, referencing ongoing experiments with older mothers in the UK. While she was in no rush, she believed her health made it conceivable.
A Mother-Daughter Bond
Adriana and Eliza share a close bond, much like any mother and daughter. Eliza, now a joyful and intelligent young woman, has brought tremendous happiness to Adriana’s life. Despite public skepticism, those close to Adriana attest to her dedication as a mother.
Adriana remains unfazed by her critics, stating, “I don’t drink or smoke. If I live as long as my parents, I’ll be around when Eliza turns 20. I still have a lot to offer her.”
A Challenging Journey
Adriana’s path to motherhood was far from easy. At 24, a health complication led to an abortion, and shortly afterward, her husband left her. She then focused on her career as a professor at a Romanian university, only considering children again after completing her doctorate at 37. Unfortunately, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) wasn’t available in Romania at that time.
When IVF became an option in Romania, Adriana was 57 years old. Her first attempt at pregnancy in 2000 ended in miscarriage. Undeterred by the opinions of others, Adriana persisted, and her determination paid off. After receiving treatment from Dr. Bogdan Marinescu in Bucharest, Adriana became pregnant with triplets. Sadly, only Eliza survived, while the other two passed away in the womb. Eliza was born prematurely and spent significant time in the NICU before her baptism, an event that came with its own set of challenges as some religious figures disapproved of Adriana’s late-age motherhood.
A Life Filled with Love
Adriana views Eliza as a blessing and a gift from God. Now 83, Adriana remains active and in good health. She continues to work part-time as a professor in Bucharest and has published over 25 children’s books. Her love and dedication to Eliza have never wavered.
Adriana has also taken steps to secure Eliza’s future. She arranged for Dr. Marinescu, the doctor who helped bring Eliza into the world, to be her godfather and legal guardian should anything happen to Adriana.
Eliza, now 17, is a bright student who excels academically and has ambitions to attend university. While Adriana prefers to keep their private lives out of the public eye, it is clear that their bond remains strong. Eliza has inherited her mother’s academic passion, consistently making the honor roll.
Despite the public scrutiny Adriana has faced over the years, she continues to defy expectations. Her commitment to her daughter, paired with her unwavering energy and love, has allowed Eliza to grow into a well-rounded and happy young woman.