Anne Hathaway, the renowned Hollywood actress, recently shared a deeply personal experience involving her struggle with fertility and miscarriage.
Anne’s Raw Interview
In an interview with Vanity Fair, she revealed that in 2015, while performing in a play where her character was pregnant, she suffered a miscarriage.
Hathaway, who was 41 at the time of the interview, disclosed that her first pregnancy “didn’t work out” during the six-week run of the one-woman off-Broadway show “Grounded,” where she had to simulate giving birth on stage every night.
Tale of Resilience
Despite the emotional turmoil, Hathaway initially kept her miscarriage private, continuing to perform and pretending that everything was fine.
However, she eventually confided in her friends, finding it challenging to maintain a facade of normalcy while dealing with her personal grief.
The experience prompted her to be more transparent about her fertility journey, particularly after welcoming her first son, Jonathan, with husband Adam Shulman in March 2016.
In 2019, Hathaway announced her second pregnancy via an Instagram post, where she acknowledged her fertility struggles and expressed solidarity with others undergoing similar challenges.
Reflecting on her decision to share her story, ‘Devil Wears Prada’ star emphasized the importance of destigmatizing miscarriage and infertility, noting that many women approached her afterward, grateful for her openness.
Sensitizing and empathy
The revelation shed light on the prevalence of miscarriages and fertility issues, with Hathaway expressing surprise at how common they were among her friends and acquaintances.
She highlighted the need for more open discussions about these topics to prevent unnecessary feelings of isolation and shame.
Hathaway’s candidness sparked conversations about miscarriage and fertility struggles, encouraging others to share their experiences and seek support. Her vulnerability and empathy resonated with many, offering solace to those grappling with similar challenges.
In her most recent interview, Hathaway elaborated on her decision to write the Instagram post, stating, “Given the pain I felt while trying to get pregnant, it would’ve felt disingenuous to post something all the way happy when I know the story is much more nuanced than that for everyone.”
She further emphasized, “I wasn’t going to feel ashamed” of something that appeared “statistically to actually be quite normal.”
Overall, Hathaway’s story serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding pregnancy and fertility, urging society to embrace empathy and understanding for those navigating these deeply personal journeys.