Annette Bening's Innate Calling: Embracing Motherhood with Her 4 Beloved Children

Susan Stamberg Honored With A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame,

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Annette Bening may have a shot at an Oscar nomination, but nothing compares to the joy of being a mom.

During an interview with Savannah Guthrie on the Today Show, Bening, 65, reflected on her deep admiration for her 95-year-old mother. She shared, "I've always looked up to my mom and still do. Despite not being a perfect mom myself, I believe I did a pretty good job, especially while balancing work. But being a mom was always my biggest dream since I was a young child."

She always had the desire to become a parent, reflecting on why she felt this way by mentioning that her mother didn't have more kids. She was the neighborhood kid who loved babysitting and spending time with little ones, saying it was just a part of who she was.

Her dream of having children came true when she married Warren Beatty in 1992. Their first child, son Stephen, was born later that year. Son Benjamin arrived in 1994, followed by daughter Isabel in 1997.

When Bening and Beatty were expecting their youngest daughter, Ella, in 2000, the birth almost happened earlier than anticipated. Bening recalled a moment when she was heavily pregnant and nominated for an Oscar. It was during the 2000 Oscars, where she was a contender for Best Actress for her role in American Beauty, while Beatty, now 86, received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. "I was on the verge of giving birth at that time. It's been almost 24 years now since that memorable event," she shared.

The Kennedy Center Honors Weekend, 2004

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She fondly recalled the memorable evening, mentioning, "I can still vividly remember that night when my baby was moving so much from all the excitement and adrenaline in my system. It was the night my husband, Warren Beatty, received a prestigious award, a moment I will always cherish." (Bening later gave birth to Ella the following month.)

This year, Bening is set to attend the Academy Awards once more, nominated for Best Actress for her role in the film Nyad. In the movie, she plays the character of Diana Nyad, a determined woman who transitions from marathon swimming to sports journalism, only to embark on a daring quest in her 60s to swim a 110-mile journey from Cuba to Florida. The film is inspired by the incredible true story of the legendary swimmer, Diana Nyad.

This is Bening’s fourth Academy Award nomination, but she has yet to win. Others nominated in her category are Emma Stone, Lily Gladstone, Carey Mulligan, and Sandra Hüller.

Editor's P/S:

Annette Bening's unwavering passion for motherhood shines through in her latest interview. Her admiration for her own mother and her desire to have children from a young age are testaments to the profound role that parenting has played in her life. Balancing work and family has been a challenge, but Bening believes she has done well, emphasizing the paramount importance of nurturing her children. Her journey towards motherhood began with her marriage to Warren Beatty, and the birth of their four children has brought her immense joy.

Bening's experience of attending the Oscars while heavily pregnant with her youngest daughter is a poignant reminder of the dual roles she has embraced throughout her career. Despite her impressive acting achievements, including several Academy Award nominations, it is her role as a mother that holds the greatest significance for her. Bening's nomination for Best Actress for her role in "Nyad" is a testament to her talent and dedication to her craft. However, it is her enduring love for her family that truly defines her as an extraordinary woman.