Brigitte Nielsen defends having a baby at 54 saying older dads don’t receive the same criticism

Brigitte Nielsen has hit back at criticism about giving birth in her 50s, and said men who are older than her become dads without receiving backlash.

The model and actress gave birth to daughter Frida in June - her fifth child, and first with 39-year-old husband Mattia Dessi.

She also revealed she started IVF treatment 14 years ago in the hopes of becoming pregnant.

Speaking to People Magazine, Brigitte said: ‘Some women think, ‘Oh my God, I’m too old’. Well, yeah, I can understand people saying, ‘How dare she?’

‘But how many men have their first kids in their 60s and 70s and they never doubt it?

‘Do I understand that [people] are a bit sceptical? Yes, I understand. I also totally respect the fact that not everybody likes it and agrees with it, but it is my life.’

Brigitte, who already has four sons from previous marriages, said she started freezing her eggs aged 40 and was given a 3-4% chance of conceiving with her own eggs.

‘I totally, totally beat the odds,’ she said.

Speaking about her IVF experience, Brigitte said that the treatment can be ‘lonely’, ‘because a lot of women don’t talk to each other about it’.

She added: ‘It is such a long road. What I want women to know is that everything is possible, but you have to be realistic,’ she said.

‘Another thing is it is expensive. It doesn’t come easy or cheap if you do it my way. I want people to know that.'

She added: ‘We should hold hands because there’s nothing wrong with wanting to have a baby whether you’re 20, you’re 30, you’re 40, or, in my case, 50.’

The Danish star, who has appeared in films such as Rocky IV and Beverly Hills Cop II, married Mattia in 2006.

‘It [is] his first baby and we are very much in love,’ she said.

‘We are very happy. We have a solid relationship. We are celebrating, or we have already – 14 years together.’

Brigitte revealed her pregnancy in May via social media with a photo of her reclining on a sofa holding her baby bump.

Fans were quick to congratulate the star following the announcement.

‘What a beautiful picture,’ one person commented, while another wrote: ‘‘Wow, amazing. I’m 45 and in menopause. Jealous of you ;) Congrats x.’

In response to several negative comments, one follower asked: ‘How about all the men over 50 who have kids? Mick Jaguar had a kid at 70. Why no outrage there??’

We couldn’t agree more – congratulations Brigitte and Mattia!