Selena Gomez Opens Up About Health Struggles: ‘I Can’t Have Children, But I’m Excited for What the Future Holds’

In a candid new interview with Vanity Fair, Selena Gomez revealed that due to medical issues, she is unable to carry her own children, but she remains optimistic about motherhood through surrogacy or adoption. The pop star and actress, known for her transparency about health challenges, has faced lupus, a kidney transplant, and ongoing battles with her mental health.

Selena Gomez has long been open about her health struggles, but in a September 2024 interview with Vanity Fair, she shared a deeply personal aspect of her journey. The 31-year-old revealed that medical complications from her lupus diagnosis prevent her from carrying children. Despite the heartbreak, Gomez remains hopeful about her future as a mother, saying, “I find it a blessing that there are wonderful people willing to do surrogacy or adoption, which are both huge possibilities for me.”

The Only Murders in the Building star said she had to grieve the loss of this possibility for a time. “It was something I had to grieve for a while,” she admitted, but she now feels at peace and is “in a much better place” about the situation. “I’m excited for what that journey will look like, but it’ll look a little different.”

A Battle with Lupus

Selena’s revelation comes as she continues to navigate her diagnosis of lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that has had a profound effect on her health. In 2014, Selena was diagnosed with lupus and subsequently underwent chemotherapy. The disease attacked her kidneys, leading to a life-saving kidney transplant in 2017, which was donated by her close friend, actress Francia Raisa.

Lupus affects various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, and kidneys, causing inflammation, pain, and fatigue. Although her kidney transplant was successful, the disease remains a lifelong challenge. Lupus cannot be fully cured, and Selena will continue to manage her condition through medication and ongoing treatment.

Physical and Mental Health Journey

Throughout her health battle, Selena has become a vocal advocate for mental health awareness. The singer has discussed the emotional toll her condition has taken, including her struggles with anxiety and depression. In a 2023 episode of Dear on Apple TV+, she reflected on her lupus diagnosis and the moment she was told she could have had a stroke onstage. “It was a lot,” she shared. “But I didn’t allow it to sink in.”

Selena’s weight fluctuations, which were caused by the medications used to treat her lupus, also attracted public attention. She faced body shaming in the media and on social platforms, leading her to speak out against the unfair scrutiny. Despite publicly stating that the negativity didn’t bother her, Selena later admitted, “I was lying. It did affect me.”

Through it all, Selena has emerged stronger, learning to accept her health journey and use her platform to inspire others. “My lupus, my kidney transplant, chemotherapy, having a mental illness, going through very public heartbreaks—these were all things that honestly should have taken me down,” she said in a 2021 interview with Elle. Instead, she turned her experiences into a source of strength and purpose, helping her stay resilient.

Looking Ahead

Selena remains positive about her future and her dreams of starting a family. “I’m one of those people who is dying to be a mom,” she shared, expressing her excitement for what lies ahead. While her journey to motherhood may look different, she feels grateful for the options available to her, including surrogacy and adoption.

Despite her health challenges, Selena continues to thrive both personally and professionally. With multiple acting projects, her successful Rare Beauty line, and her ongoing commitment to mental health advocacy, Selena Gomez proves that she is not letting lupus or any other obstacle define her. As she looks toward the future, she remains hopeful, resilient, and ready to embrace the next chapter of her life.

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