No Kids, No Regrets: Celebrities Who Decided Motherhood Isn’t for Them

Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren has always lived life unapologetically, and motherhood was never part of her story. Speaking to AARP in 2015, she said, “I never felt the need for a child and never felt the loss of it…. I’d always put my work before anything.” In a 2013 Vogue interview, Mirren elaborated that motherhood “was not my destiny.” She admitted she kept expecting the urge to appear, but it never did. What’s telling is how Mirren has brushed off critics over the years, noting that most people who questioned her decision were “boring old men.” Instead, she focused on her career, becoming one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation, without ever feeling that children were a missing piece.

Christina Hendricks

‘Mad Men’ star Christina Hendricks has been refreshingly candid about not wanting children. In an interview with The Observer, she admitted, “They [children] are a lot of work,” and pointed out how many people she knows also don’t have kids. Hendricks has also said she often hears gratitude from fans who feel validated by her honesty, as many face judgment from family or friends who don’t understand their choice. When she adopted a puppy, Hendricks joked that this was her version of starting a family. For her, companionship, pets, and creative fulfillment are enough. Her openness has made her a quiet role model for those who feel pressured into explaining their child-free lives.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus has been vocal about her decision not to have children, tying it closely to environmental concerns and gender expectations. In a raw interview with Elle, she criticized the pressure society places on women to reproduce. “We’re expected to keep the planet populated,” she said, noting that people unfairly label women without kids as “cold” or “heartless.” For Cyrus, the decision is also about climate change. She refuses to bring children into a world facing such dire environmental threats: Her stance is both personal and political—she advocates for women to define love and purpose in their own ways, without being boxed in by traditional roles.

Anna Kendrick

Anna Kendrick has never been shy about her feelings toward motherhood. In her 2016 memoir ‘Scrappy Little Nobody,’ she wrote plainly: “I will always feel children aren’t for me.” Years later, she doubled down when responding to politician JD Vance’s comments about “childless cat ladies.” Speaking to The Guardian in 2024, Kendrick quipped that she’s not even responsible enough for a cat, let alone a child: “Why would anyone trust me with a kid?” More recently, in an interview with Flow Space, Kendrick criticized the casual way men talk about “maybe one day” having kids, noting how unrealistic those visions often sound. Her remarks cut through the romanticized ideas of family life, calling out the imbalance in parenting expectations. Kendrick’s humor and sharp observations underline her conviction: motherhood was never something she desired, and she refuses to feel apologetic for it.

Diane Morgan

British actress and comedian Diane Morgan has never hesitated to say motherhood wasn’t for her. “I never wanted them,” she told The Guardian. She explained that she simply couldn’t see the appeal or advantages of having children, and that she’s always felt the same way. “When I was younger, I thought, maybe I’ll change when I get older, but I haven’t.” Morgan even joked about how other parents sometimes tell her not to bother, warning her kids can “ruin your life.” Now happily with a partner who also doesn’t want children, Morgan says she feels lucky and liberated. For her, choosing not to have kids isn’t about loss, it’s about living authentically, free from obligations she never desired in the first place.

Renée Zellweger

Despite famously starring in ‘Bridget Jones’ Baby,’ Renée Zellweger has never been driven by a desire to be a mom. Back in 2004, she told The London Times that motherhood was simply “never an ambition.” Instead, she’s lived her life with a more spontaneous approach: “I just take things as they come, each day at a time.” For Zellweger, independence and self-reliance have always mattered more than conforming to timelines or expectations. While others may have imagined her settling down with children, she insists she’s content with her life as it is. To her, anything beyond independence is just “gravy.”

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey, one of the most powerful women in media, has long acknowledged that motherhood wasn’t part of her plan. While many of her friends dreamed of having children, Oprah dreamed of influencing the world in other ways, modeling herself after leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. In a 2013 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she explained, “If I had kids, my kids would hate me.” Oprah admitted her career would have overshadowed parenting, and it would have been her children who suffered most. Instead, Oprah has dedicated her energy to philanthropy, education, and empowerment. For her, her legacy isn’t defined by motherhood but by the countless lives she has touched globally.

Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross, star of ‘Black-ish’ and daughter of music legend Diana Ross, has always been a strong advocate for living authentically. In a candid interview with The London Times, she revealed how often she questions herself: “Are you making that decision for you or someone else?” Ross has resisted the societal expectation that women must marry and have children to be complete. Instead, she has focused on her flourishing career, activism, and joy. “There are a lot of babies, isn’t that part of what’s going wrong, there’s too many?” she quipped. For Ross, fulfillment comes from personal happiness and making the world a better place, not following a script written by tradition.

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is a living legend, beloved worldwide for her music, philanthropy, and wit. But despite her larger-than-life persona, Parton has always kept her personal choice about kids simple: she believes it wasn’t meant to be. “I didn't have children because I believed that God didn't mean for me to have kids so everybody's kids could be mine,” she explained during The Oprah Conversation in 2020. Parton sees her life as a gift that allowed her to create her Imagination Library, which has provided over 200 million free books to children worldwide. She often says that had she been a mother, she might not have had the time or freedom to build her career or give back in such a meaningful way. In her view, she’s been able to “mother” millions through her charitable work.

Kim Cattrall

Kim Cattrall, forever remembered as the bold and independent Samantha Jones in ‘Sex and the City,’ has spoken openly about resisting the pressure to have children. Back in 2003, she told O, The Oprah Magazine that she had to block out “the shoulds and coulds” of society to figure out what she truly wanted. The answer was clear: motherhood wasn’t for her. Instead, she’s embraced a broader view of nurturing. In a 2015 BBC interview, she shared that she considers herself a mother through mentorship, guiding younger actors in their careers. For Cattrall, motherhood doesn’t have to be biological, it can take many forms. Her story resonates with many women who feel societal pressure but recognize that true fulfillment often comes from listening to one’s own heart.

Stevie Nicks

Rock legend Stevie Nicks has been clear that motherhood would have changed everything about her career. In multiple interviews, she has admitted that Fleetwood Mac’s success might never have happened if she had chosen to have children. While she acknowledges that many women balance career and motherhood, Nicks knew herself well enough to realize she wouldn’t be comfortable with a nanny raising her child. “I am very jealous, and I would have hated that,” she explained, adding that she wanted to give her hypothetical child 100% of her attention—something her career wouldn’t have allowed. Instead, she chose music, songwriting, and helping people through her art. Looking back, Nicks says she has no regrets, because her songs and influence became her way of giving back to the world.

Allison Janney

Oscar winner Allison Janney has also made peace with living child-free. Speaking with Drew Barrymore on her talk show, Janney said, “I would rather regret not having kids than have kids and regret that.” For her, the choice is about being honest with herself and recognizing that regret over not having kids is easier to carry than the burden of resenting a responsibility she never truly wanted. Janney has built a celebrated career with roles spanning ‘The West Wing’ to ‘I, Tonya,’ and she continues to embrace the freedom and independence that come with her choice.

Lily Tomlin

Hollywood icon Lily Tomlin has been unapologetic about her choice since the very beginning of her career. As far back as 1973, she told Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show that motherhood wasn’t for her—a bold admission at a time when women faced even greater social pressure to have children. Decades later, she still feels the same. “Oh yeah, that’s perfectly fine for somebody who wants to. But at that time I didn’t want to and I’m glad I don’t have any children,” she told Metro Weekly in 2006. Tomlin admitted she loves kids but knew there wasn’t space in her life for them, given how deeply she wanted to pursue her career. She’s candid about the reality: she couldn’t have balanced both without disrupting either her career or her children’s upbringing, and she wasn’t willing to compromise.

Alison Brie

Alison Brie has been frank about her child-free life with husband Dave Franco. Speaking to The Sunday Times Magazine, she admitted, “I don’t really want to have kids.” Brie explained that the idea of planning pregnancies around shooting schedules, worrying about career breaks, and the sheer stress of raising a child didn’t appeal to her. Instead, she joked about how much effort she and Franco already put into their two cats, saying, “If it was a child… oh my god!” For Brie, the decision is equal parts practical and personal: she values the freedom her career gives her and sees her marriage as fulfilling without children.

Ashley Judd

Ashley Judd has been very clear about her philosophy on motherhood: she feels no need to have her “own” children when so many others in the world need care. In her memoir All That Is Bitter and Sweet, Judd wrote, “The fact is that I have chosen not to have children because I believe the children who are already here are really mine too.” She explained that she feels called to support and love orphaned or abandoned children who lack parental guidance, rather than focusing on creating her own family. Her humanitarian work, particularly with organizations that help disadvantaged youth and victims of abuse, reflects that belief. Judd sees her role not as a traditional mother, but as a global caregiver, dedicating her time and compassion to children who need it most.

Kelly Brook

Model and TV personality Kelly Brook has also been candid about her decision. In an interview with Fabulous magazine, she revealed she’d taken the time to reflect seriously on the question of motherhood. “I’ve sat down and asked myself: ‘Do I really want to have children? Is this something I really want to do?’” she said. Her conclusion: no, she’s fine without. Brook also spoke about the stigma child-free women face, saying it can be “unkind” and unnecessary. To her, life is about personal happiness and fulfillment, not meeting external expectations. She’s embraced her own path, showing that contentment doesn’t always look like the traditional family picture.

Patricia Clarkson

Patricia Clarkson has never shied away from her truth: she never wanted kids, and she’s proud of that choice. In conversation with Bruce Bozzi, the actress admitted, “I’ve never wanted to marry, I’ve never wanted children. I was born without that gene.” Clarkson explained that while she had a window of opportunity to consider motherhood, she realized she loved her career too much and didn’t want to risk failing at parenting. Her mother once worried she might regret the decision, but Clarkson says she’s been nothing but happy, enjoying what she jokingly calls her “great sexy life.” At 50, instead of feeling incomplete, she felt liberated, embracing her independence and thriving in her work.

Heather Graham

Heather Graham has reflected deeply on what it means to live child-free, especially while promoting her film ‘Chosen Family,’ where she plays a woman without children. Graham admitted she sometimes wonders what her life might have been like if she had kids, but ultimately feels relief and gratitude for her freedom. “Eighty percent of the time I feel glad I don’t have kids, and I feel free and really good about it,” she told The Guardian. She also pointed to the societal pressure women face: the constant narrative that motherhood is the ultimate goal. For Graham, life has been about following her passions and embracing choice. She also applauds the growing number of women who are speaking up about not wanting children, saying it’s a cultural shift worth celebrating.

Jennifer Aniston

Few celebrities have faced as much scrutiny over motherhood as Jennifer Aniston. For decades, tabloids speculated endlessly about whether she would have children, especially following her marriages. In response, Aniston has spoken out strongly against the idea that a woman’s worth is tied to motherhood. “It is such an issue of, like, ‘Are you married yet? Are you going to have your babies yet?’” she told Carson Daly. She added that she doesn’t have a “checklist” of milestones and refuses to see herself as incomplete without children. “I’ve birthed a lot of things, and I feel like I’ve mothered many things,” she said, pointing to her career, friendships, and philanthropic work. Aniston has also written essays addressing the sexist narrative around women’s bodies and childbearing, calling for an end to the endless speculation.

Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have been married since 2008, and throughout their relationship, they’ve been open about their choice not to have children. On the Today show, DeGeneres once joked about the risk of parenthood: “What if I don’t like the kid?” But beyond the humor, she admitted the commitment felt too big. De Rossi echoed the sentiment in an Out interview, explaining that she reflected deeply in her 30s about whether the desire for children was genuine or just societal pressure. Ultimately, both women realized they didn’t truly want kids, and their love and partnership felt complete without them. For them, a happy marriage is their focus, not parenthood.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder has faced years of questions about her child-free status, but she’s been thoughtful in her responses. Speaking to The Telegraph in 2014, she shared a conversation with her father when she worried about not having children. His advice was reassuring: “There are other ways to have children in your life.” Ryder says she cherishes the time she spends with her brother’s kids and recognizes that love and family come in many forms. She’s also spoken out against the relentless pressure women face, saying, “It’s crazy the stuff women will tell you.” For Ryder, her life has been rich and meaningful without motherhood, and she’s content to define family on her own terms.

Margaret Cho

Comedian Margaret Cho has never sugarcoated her feelings about motherhood. Known for her brutally honest humor, she declared in her stand-up special ‘Revolution’: “I have no maternal instincts whatsoever. I am barren. I am bone-dry. When I see children, I feel nothing. I ovulate sand.” Though delivered with Cho’s trademark wit, the sentiment is very real; she has consistently said that she doesn’t feel drawn to parenthood. Instead, she has poured her energy into her comedy, activism, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. Cho embodies the idea that a fulfilling, impactful life doesn’t require children, and she uses humor to strip away the taboo of saying so out loud.

Sarah Paulson

Emmy-winning actress Sarah Paulson has been candid about her choice to remain child-free, especially in conversations about her longtime relationship with actress Holland Taylor, who is 32 years her senior. Paulson explained that she loves children but feared she might regret the decision if she had them impulsively. “I love kids, but I’m very impulsive, and I was afraid that I would have children and then regret it,” she admitted. As a precaution, she froze her eggs — but ultimately realized that motherhood wasn’t something she truly envisioned for herself. Paulson has instead focused on her career, her relationship, and the creative projects that fulfill her. Her honesty about not wanting children, yet still acknowledging the complexity of the decision, resonates with many women navigating similar societal pressures.

Chelsea Handler

Comedian Chelsea Handler has always been open about living life on her own terms, and motherhood isn’t on her list. In an interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Handler explained that she simply doesn’t think she has the skills or patience required for raising children. “They come in, and in, and in,” she joked about kids’ endless stream of questions, adding that her nieces and nephews give her enough exposure to know she’s not built for parenthood. Handler has also talked about how societal expectations can make women feel pressured to explain themselves. For her, choosing not to have kids isn’t a loss, it’s freedom to focus on her comedy, activism, and travels. She sees her life as full and joyful, proving that happiness doesn’t need to be tied to raising children.

Marisa Tomei

Academy Award–winning actress Marisa Tomei has long challenged the assumption that women must have children to be considered whole. In a 2009 interview with Manhattan magazine, she said plainly: “I don’t know why women need to have children to be seen as complete human beings.” Tomei has built her life around acting, friendships, and independence rather than following the expected route of marriage and motherhood. Over the years, she’s been vocal about her dislike of the societal checklist that dictates what a woman’s life should look like.