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Topics: Parenting, Science, Health, World News
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: Parenting, Science, Health, World News
Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing
Spanish actor Ana Obregón has spoken out about her decision to use her son's sperm to have his child via surrogate.
When Aless Lequio passed away from cancer in 2020 at the age of 27, his mother, actor Ana Obregón, was left heartbroken.
The 70-year-old reflected to ¡Hola! in April 2023 how 'we live our whole lives saying we are eternal and nothing happens here' but 'suddenly one day they tell you at 25 years old you have an aggressive cancer'.
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After losing her son, Ana explained she felt like she was 'dead for three years' - until the arrival of her granddaughter Anita.
Anita was conceived using an egg donor and Ana's late son's sperm via surrogacy.
Aless had reportedly preserved his sperm two years before he passed away.
When Ana first publicly announced Anita had been conceived and born via surrogacy, it caused backlash in Spain because of surrogacy being illegal in the country.
It is lawful to adopt a child who was born abroad, however, Anita was born via surrogate in the US. Following the birth, Ana adopted the child which made her the legal guardian.
But why did Ana use her son's sperm?
Well, the actor claims it was Aless' 'last wish' to have a child.
Not only that, but she previously voiced the arrival of Anita 'resurrected her' after she was left feeling 'dead for three years' after her son's passing.
Ana told ¡Hola! earlier this year: "I know I'll never feel the happiness I had when Aless was with me again. That pain will never go away. You don't accept or get over the death of a child. You end up accepting that you'll never be able to come to terms with their departure.
"Fortunately, Anita now fills my days. I was dead for three years from Aless' death until Anita was born... Life is a breath of fresh air."
Ana clarified Anita 'is not [her] daughter' but her granddaughter and 'when she grows up' she will tell her about Aless and 'who he is'.
In a post to Instagram in March, Ana celebrated Anita's second birthday with a series of images of her alongside a caption.
The caption reads: "Today also two years ago I was resurrected because of you and your father's last wish.
"I only ask God that you live many years full of health and happiness. I promise you that I will take care of you in body and soul until the last day of my life.
"Your dad and you are the loves of my life. Congratulations my little angel on earth!!!!
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].