Jimmy Fallon, with his daughter, Winnie. Photo credit: Doug Meszler/Splash News.
Last week, Late Night Talk Show Host Jimmy Fallon announced that his daughter, who was born this past July, was born via a gestational surrogate. Fallon spoke to NBC’s Today Show about his wife’s and his infertility struggles. After trying many different fertility treatments, they decided to use a gestational surrogate, according to his interview. Other celebrities, such as Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Bill and Guiliana Rancic, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, Ricky Martin, and Neil Patrick Harris have also welcomed their children into the world using a gestational surrogate. But surrogacy is not just an option for the rich and famous. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, in 2004, 738 babies were born via gestational surrogate. In 2011, that number grew to 1,593. While surrogacy is by no means an inexpensive option, it is still a viable option for many couple — famous or not — who are looking to complete their families. It’s helpful that some celebrities are open about their use of a surrogate, so that this option is given attention in the mainstream media, and intended parents can learn more about it.
