Madeleine West has announced she is pregnant with her seventh child.
The Neighbours star, 45, revealed the exciting news in a heartfelt Instagram post on Tuesday morning.
In the photo, the brunette displayed her growing baby bump in a tight-fitting grey tank top that was lifted to reveal her bare tummy.
‘WHOOPS!’ she captioned her post. ‘Thought it was #perimenopause. I thought WRONG!’
‘It’s not too much Christmas pudding either. And I couldn’t be happier.
Madeleine, a mother of six children ranging in ages from 10 to 19, has chosen to expand her family with a seventh child, despite feeling a bit unsure about being labeled a “Geriatric mum.” However, she is excited about nurturing this new surprise.
Madeleine West, 45, has announced she is pregnant with her seventh child
The Neighbours star revealed the exciting news in a heartfelt Instagram post on Tuesday morning
She points out that there is a lack of visibility and discussion around older parents like herself, acknowledging that they exist but often feel overlooked and underrepresented.
The actress sought advice from her followers as she prepares for her seventh journey into motherhood.
‘So if you’re expecting later than expected, and tackling early in your 40s or 50s, I’d LOVE hear your stories,’ she added.
‘I’d love any tips you care to share. Like how the heck do you get all the #baby paraphernalia together again after you’ve given it all away????
‘There’s a terrifying new world of contraptions out there and I don’t know where to start!! HELP!!!’
Madeleine’s huge announcement was met with well wishes from her fans, friends and followers.
‘Wow congratulations!!!’ one user commented.
‘Congrats to all ❤️, exciting times for your brood too,’ added another.
Madeleine shares six children with her ex-partner, celebrity chef Shannon Bennett, 49. Pictured together in 2016
Someone else wrote: ‘Holy hell woman! You look fabulous, congratulations.’
Madeleine’s children, who she shares with her former partner Shannon Bennett, include Phoenix, 19, Hendrix, 16, Xascha, 14, Xanthe, 12, and twins Xalia and Margaux, 10.
The Australian star was most recently linked to Maximo Bottaro, who she dated for more than three years.
It is unclear if the pair are still together as they haven’t been seen or pictured together since December 2023.
In 2023, Madeleine said Maximo had been her biggest support when it comes to her mental health woes.
‘I’m lucky to have someone who is evolved and compassionate enough to go on this journey with me without sugar-coating or trying to avoid the tough moments,’ she told Stellar magazine.
Meanwhile, Madeleine and her ex-husband Shannon split after 13 years together in 2018, with Madeleine later stating the separation process ‘turned love toxic’.
Two years after their breakup, she left Melbourne and moved to the Byron Bay area to be near their six children, buying her own $4.6million property overlooking Tallow Beach.
The Australian star was recently linked to Maximo Bottaro, who she dated for more than three years. It is unclear if the pair are still together – they haven’t been pictured together since 2023
Madeleine said Maximo had been her biggest support when it comes to her mental health woes
Madeleine spent 2023 embroiled in court battles with Benny Bennett, Shannon’s elderly father, who took out an AVO against her after an alleged clash at the chef’s Byron mansion in 2022.
A magistrate enforced the AVO describing Madeleine as an ‘evasive’ and unreliable witness, and her alleged treatment of her ex father-in-law, 76, as ‘verging on being aggressive’.
But the decision was thrown out when Madeleine appealed to the NSW District Court and won in a ruling by Judge Jonathan Priestley who said ‘the evidence of facts supporting them is light on, and not supported by’ the footage from five different CCTV cameras around Shannon Bennett’s home.
In January 2023, West revealed she was sexually abused from the age of five to 10. Her abuser was finally named this month.
Peter Vincent White, 74, pleaded guilty to 33 charges of child sexual abuse against seven children, one of whom was the actress, who was then named Melanie Ann Weston.
