Oldest Mother Identified; Says ‘I Wasn’t Trying to Make History’

The world’s oldest mother, who at the age of 63 gave birth last year in Southern California, revealed her identity in an interview published today in a British newspaper.

Arceli Keh told the Express that her 60-year-old husband, Isagani, was still working at a carpentry shop because they spent at least $50,000 on the in vitro fertilization treatment that led to the birth of their daughter, Cynthia.

The Kehs have been married for 16 years and have no other children. The couple emigrated from the Philippines and live in Highland, a suburb of San Bernardino.

“We are far from wealthy,” Keh said. “We are working people. I only retired to have my baby.”

The revelation last week that Keh gave birth five months ago raised questions about the ethical and practical ramifications of having a baby so late in life.

“I wasn’t trying to make history,” she told the newspaper. “I just wanted a baby.”

The University of Southern California’s Program for Assisted Reproduction allows women up to age 55 to participate, and Keh went to great lengths to hide her age, officials said.

Doctors discovered her true age when she was 13 weeks pregnant.

Cynthia was delivered late last year by Caesarean section.

The Express described Arceli Keh as looking 15 years younger than her age and said Cynthia was chubby and dark-haired.

“Our age doesn’t matter,” Keh told the newspaper. “We feel young at heart, and we love our child. Isn’t that what counts?”