Warning: This article discusses cancer and may be distressing for some readers.
Ana Obregón, a Spanish actor, has shared her reasons for choosing to have a child using her late son’s sperm through a surrogate.
Ana’s son, Aless Lequio, succumbed to cancer in 2020 at the age of 27, leaving her devastated.
In an interview with ¡Hola! in April 2023, the 70-year-old expressed her sentiments that ‘we live our whole lives saying we are eternal and nothing happens here’ until the moment ‘they tell you at 25 years old you have an aggressive cancer’.
Following the loss of her son, Ana stated that she felt like she was ‘dead for three years’, a feeling that changed with the birth of her granddaughter Anita.
Anita came into being through the donation of an egg and Ana’s late son’s sperm via surrogacy.
Reports indicate that Aless had preserved his sperm two years before his demise.
Ana’s public announcement about Anita’s conception and birth through surrogacy sparked controversy in Spain due to the illegality of surrogacy in the country.
While adopting a child born abroad is permissible, Anita was born in the United States through a surrogate. Ana adopted Anita post-birth, becoming the child’s legal guardian.
So, why did Ana opt to use her son’s sperm?
The actor states that it was Aless’ ‘last wish’ to have a child.
Furthermore, she has expressed that Anita’s arrival ‘resurrected her’ after the intense grief following her son’s death.
Earlier this year, Ana told ¡Hola!: “I know I’ll never feel the happiness I had when Aless was with me again. That pain will never go away. You don’t accept or get over the death of a child. You end up accepting that you’ll never be able to come to terms with their departure.
“Fortunately, Anita now fills my days. I was dead for three years from Aless’ death until Anita was born… Life is a breath of fresh air.”
Ana emphasized that Anita ‘is not [her] daughter’ but her granddaughter and expressed her intention to share information about Aless with Anita ‘when she grows up’.
In March, Ana marked Anita’s second birthday on Instagram, posting several photos alongside a heartfelt caption.
The caption stated: “Today also two years ago I was resurrected because of you and your father’s last wish.
“I only ask God that you live many years full of health and happiness. I promise you that I will take care of you in body and soul until the last day of my life.
“Your dad and you are the loves of my life. Congratulations my little angel on earth!!!!”
If you are impacted by these topics and want confidential support, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or use their 24/7 live chat service.
If you have experienced a loss and wish to talk confidentially, reach out to GrieveWell at (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].