An actress who used the sperm of her late son to bring a child into the world via surrogate has opened up about what being a 'grandmother-mother' is like.
Spanish TV star Ana Obregón, 71, said she was 'reborn' when her granddaughter, Anita Sandra, arrived in March 2023.
Although the circumstances surrounding the little girl's birth were somewhat controversial, Ana explained she went through with it to fulfil her beloved son's dying wish.
Aless Lequio passed away in 2020 at the age of 27 after battling Ewing's sarcoma, which the NHS explains is a rare form of cancer which primarily develops in the bones or their surrounding tissue.
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According to his devastated mother Ana, a week before his death, Aless told her and his father Alessandro Lequio that he dreamed of having a child.
After receiving his diagnosis in 2018, Aless opted to freeze his sperm before he began chemotherapy - and Ana later sought the help of an egg donor and a surrogate in the US to make his dream of becoming a dad a reality.
The socialite and screen star - who appeared in the American series The A-Team and Who’s the Boss? - had to travel to the States because surrogacy is illegal in Spain.
Ana previously explained that completing the 'mission of bringing Aless’ daughter into the world' was the 'only thing that has allowed her to continue living every day'.
She told the Spanish magazine Hola! in 2023: "Aless Lequio loved babies and would go crazy every time he saw one. He told me: ‘I am going to call my first daughter Ana, like you, mommy'."
At the time, Ana also didn't rule out the possibility of having more grandchildren via a surrogate in the future, noting that her son said he wanted to have five children.
Three years on from Anita's birth, Ana has been sharing updates on how she is navigating life with a toddler at the age of 71.
In an Instagram post shared to celebrate the little girl's birthday which she uploaded back in March, she gushed about how Anita's presence makes her feel connected to Aless.
"Today marks three years since I was reborn when I hugged you for the first time," she wrote. "Because in doing so, I also hugged a little piece of your dad.
"You have filled my dark world and my personal hell with light, smiles, mischief, hugs, diapers, pacifiers and toys all over the house. You are good, smart, sensitive and you have the same sense of humour as your father."
She also told her 1.3million followers that she would 'someday' tell Anita all about 'why she is here'.
Ana's caption continued: "I will tell you about your dad's courage and the life lesson he taught us all. I will tell you how much he dreamed of hugging you, taking care of you and loving you, even though now he does it from heaven.
"I pray to God that you have good health and are happy for many more years. Always together, the three of us."
She took a more sombre tone in another post that was shared to mark Spain's Mother's Day on Sunday (3 May), as she admitted that the day 'hurt' her - but said Anita managed to brighten it.
In a poignant post referencing her ongoing grief following Aless' passing, Ana said: "My heart goes out to all the moms who have their angels in heaven. Those who swallow tears with a smile to survive.
"I need to tell you that love is the greatest force that exists, that we should try to feel their love from wherever they are. I need to tell you we’re going to be her mothers forever.
"Happy Mother's Day to the mothers who are lucky enough to have their children on earth, who can hug them, talk to them, smell them. Don't let a single day go by without telling them how much you love them.
"Collect countless moments with them, because that's the only thing that truly matters in this life. The greatest pride and privilege is being a mother. (At least for me).
"Now I am a grandmother-mother to an angel who illuminates every second of my darkness. Blessed are all the mothers on earth and those who gave us life and are in heaven."
Topics: World News, Celebrity, Parenting
Olivia Burke