A Brazilian actress who thought her doctor was crazy when she told her to do a pregnancy test has given birth to her third child aged 56.
Claudia Raia – a household name in her native Brazil – gave birth to baby Luca in a maternity hospital in Sao Paulo on 11th February.
The actress took to Instagram to post a snap of little Luca between her and her grinning husband – actor Jarbas Homem de Mello, 53 – for her 8.5 million followers
She wrote: “Luca arrived lighting up Saturday night! He arrived here on 11th February, claiming his space. We gave way.
“The world, since then, has a new makeover for our family. We are overflowing with happiness and love! Welcome, Luca!”
Fellow celebrities have been congratulating the happy couple on social media.
Both mum and baby son – measuring 48 centimetres (19 inches) and weighing 2.96 kilogrammes (6 lb 8 oz) – are said to be doing well.
Claudia – who hails from Campinas, Sao Paulo State – is already mum to Enzo, 25, and 15-year-old Sophia. Their dad is actor Edson Celulari.
Claudia’s professional acting career took off in 1985, when she starred in telenovela ‘Roque Santeiro’.
She has since starred in numerous telenovelas (Latin American TV soap operas) and has won multiple awards over her decades-long career.
She is believed to be a practising Buddhist.
It is very rare for women over the age of 50 to become pregnant naturally.
However, pregnancy in the over-50s has become more common in recent years due to advances in assisted reproductive technology.
Claudia told local media in September: “When the doctor asked me to do a Beta-hCG, I said, ‘Love, you’re really crazy. Where did that come from? I’m 55 years old.'”
