Jennifer Aniston reveals reason she never wanted to adopt after two decades of IVF fertility struggles

Jennifer Aniston explains why she chose not to adopt after years of IVF attempts and emotional fertility challenges

Jennifer Aniston has opened up about her long and emotional journey with infertility, explaining why she chose not to pursue adoption after a 20-year effort to have a biological child. Speaking on the upcoming October 20 episode of the Armchair Expert podcast, the Friends alum said that while she made peace with her situation years ago, she always wanted a child biologically related to her.

“When people say, ‘But you can adopt,’ I don’t want to adopt,” the 56-year-old actress said. “I want my own DNA in a little person. That’s the only way—selfish or not—I’ve wanted it.” She added that reaching the end of her fertility journey through IVF was deeply emotional. “It just wasn’t in the plan, whatever the plan was. There’s a weird moment when doctors say, ‘That’s it,’ and it hits you.”

Aniston reflected on past relationships, admitting that she once imagined having children with her former partners but that the thought “passed within seconds.” Earlier this month, she revisited her 2016 Huffington Post essay, “Fed Up,” which pushed back against media speculation about her personal life. Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar UK, she said, “They didn’t know my story or what I’d been going through… I don’t go out there and tell people my medical woes.”

Aniston, who was previously married to Brad Pitt and later to Justin Theroux, said the constant public scrutiny surrounding her motherhood journey was hurtful but ultimately motivated her to speak out on behalf of women facing similar struggles.

Today, the Emmy-winning actress is focused on her career and personal happiness. She stars in The Morning Show on Apple TV+, continues to run her beauty brand LolaVie, and is currently dating hypnotist Jim Curtis, who helped her overcome a fear of flying.