LOS ANGELES, Oct 9: Jennifer Aniston has opened up about a private, two-decade-long struggle to have a child. The 56-year-old "Friends" star shared her story in a rare interview with Harper's Bazaar UK’s November issue, addressing the false narrative that she chose not to become a mother because she is a "selfish workaholic."

“They didn’t know my story, or what I’d been going through over the past 20 years to try to pursue a family, because I don’t go out there and share my medical challenges,” Aniston explained. “That’s not anybody’s business. But there comes a point when you can’t ignore the narrative about how I won’t have a baby, won’t have a family, because I’m selfish, a workaholic. It does affect me—I’m just a human being. We’re all human beings. That’s why I thought, ‘What the hell?’”

As she has grown older, Jennifer says she feels less compelled to correct these misconceptions. “The news cycle is so fast, it just moves on,” she said. “Of course, there are times when I feel that sense of justice—when something untrue is said and I want to set the record straight. But then I think, do I really need to? My family knows my truth, my friends know my truth.”

Aniston was married to actor Brad Pitt from 2000 to 2005. Their marriage ended after Pitt met Angelina Jolie during the filming of Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

In 2022, Jennifer revealed that she had undergone unsuccessful IVF treatments and expressed regret about not freezing her eggs earlier. “It was a challenging road for me, the baby-making road,” she shared. “In my late 30s and 40s, I went through really difficult times, and if it wasn’t for those experiences, I wouldn’t have become who I was meant to be. I was trying to get pregnant. All the years of speculation were very hard. I was doing IVF, drinking Chinese teas—you name it. I was trying everything.”

Jennifer was 35 when she and Brad Pitt separated and has previously denied rumors that he left her because she wouldn’t have children, calling such claims “an absolute lie.” Pitt went on to have six children with Angelina Jolie—three adopted and three biological. The couple announced their split in 2016 following a private plane incident during which Jolie accused Pitt of abuse. Pitt is reportedly believed to have very limited contact with his children now.

Jennifer later married actor Justin Theroux in 2015 when she was 46, but the marriage lasted just three years. In March 2025, Theroux remarried in a private ceremony to Nicole Brydon Bloom.

A source close to Aniston shared that Jennifer was among the first to congratulate Justin on his marriage. “It took her by surprise, but they have maintained a close friendship, and she is happy that he has found true love,” the source said. However, the news was also somewhat bittersweet for Jennifer, despite her approval of Theroux’s new spouse.

Jennifer also spoke out against the idea that there is an expiration date for women in Hollywood. “The societal idea of an expiration date just doesn’t exist anymore—it’s an old ideology,” she said. “We’re here, and we’re more than half the population. And honestly, would any of you be here if it weren’t for us? The wisdom older women have to contribute is extraordinary, and that’s one area where we’ve seen real progress in the film industry.”

Recently, Jennifer has been linked to life coach Jim Curtin. After spending the Fourth of July weekend together, the couple was seen sharing affectionate moments during a yacht trip in Mallorca.

A source close to Aniston revealed, “Jennifer is dating Jim and is very happy, but she’s taking things slowly. Her friends are excited about the new romance, and those who have met him think they are a perfect match. They share a deep passion for ‘inner work,’ and Jennifer finds Jim remarkable in that respect. She has read almost every self-help book out there, and Jim’s arrival in her life feels like fate. It’s been a meeting of minds. Jennifer feels very connected to Jim because they share the same level of emotional intelligence, unlike some of her previous relationships.”

Jennifer Aniston’s candid reflections provide a deeper insight into her personal journey beyond the public eye.