Surrogate News Revealed: Maria Menounos Reveals Kim Kardashian as the First to Know!

In the midst of her fertility challenges, Maria Menounos sought support from her close-knit group, notably her friend Kim Kardashian, who provided valuable advice on surrogacy. Speaking exclusively in the latest issue of We, Menounos, 45, commends Kardashian, acknowledging her instrumental role in initiating the journey and guiding her through both the anxieties and the procedure. "She deserves immense credit for helping us take those initial steps and for instilling trust and faith within me," Menounos affirms.

Kardashian, 42, was the first person to be informed about our pregnancy, according to the journalist. Menounos, who revealed in February that she and her husband Keven Undergaro were expecting their first child, shares that she couldn't help but share the joyful news with Kardashian at a gala in November 2022.

Describing Kardashian as a composed and tranquil individual, Menounos expresses her gratitude for her constant support and instant responses whenever she sought advice or had questions. She heavily relied on Kardashian during this period.

Maria Menounos, Kim Kardashian Shutterstock(2)

On June 23, Menounos and Undergaro, who got married in 2017, joyfully welcomed their daughter Athena Alexandra via surrogate. Us magazine exclusively revealed the adorable baby girl on Wednesday, July 19.

Menounos informs Us that Kardashian's personal experience with fertility, which involved the arrival of her daughter Chicago, 5, and son Psalm, 4, through surrogacy, empowered her to believe that she could pursue a similar path.

In Kardashian's case, she gave birth to her first two children, North, 10, and Saint, 7, with her ex-husband Kanye West. However, due to the complications she faced during those pregnancies, both Kardashian and West opted for surrogacy for their subsequent children.

Menounos expressed her gratitude for Kardashian's support and openness regarding her own health challenges. She considers Kardashian to be one of her essential supporters, alongside her doula, Lori Bregman, Stephanie Levivitch from Family Match, and attorney Andrew Zimmer, whom Kardashian introduced her to during her IVF struggles.

Courtesy of Maria Menounos/Instagram

Menounos expresses her gratitude towards the collective effort of these benevolent souls, who joined forces solely to assist us in achieving this monumental milestone. She acknowledges the paramount appreciation directed towards our surrogate and her family.

The host of the "Heal Squad" podcast embarked on a 10-year journey towards motherhood, facing challenges with infertility and undergoing IVF treatments. In 2017, Menounos received the news of a brain tumor, causing a pause in her treatments. Following the successful removal of the tumor, she was advised against carrying her own child, prompting a three-year surrogacy process. Menounos joyfully shares that Athena, their child, is a true miracle, bringing immense love and happiness to their household.

Watch the exclusive video above to learn more about Menounos’ life as a mom — and pick up the latest issue of We, on newsstands now.