Susanna Reid sparked a furious social media debate on Wednesday after admitting she could understand the negative response to Robert De Niro welcoming his seventh child at the age of 79.
The Hollywood star – who turns 80 on August 17 – made the admission during an interview on Tuesday, but is yet to confirm further details regarding the baby’s name or gender.
Discussing his revelation on Good Morning Britain, Reid, 52, acknowledged why some fans viewed the decision to conceive children at a later age as ‘selfish.’
She said: ‘I’m kind of in two minds about it. He’s effectively 80, isn’t he?’
Cutting in, Daily Mail columnist Andrew Pierce and Daily Mirror associate editor Kevin Maguire – typically at loggerheads during their regular appearances on the show – jointly branded the idea of having children later in life as ‘self indulgent.’
An incredulous Pierce added: ‘When his son goes to university at 18 he’ll be 98, if he’s even alive?’
‘He’s not going to win any parents’ race at school, is he?’ agreed Maguire.
Argument: Susanna Reid sparked a furious social media debate on Wednesday after admitting she could understand the negative response to Robert De Niro welcoming his seventh child at the age of 79
Surprise: The Hollywood star – who turns 80 on August 17 – made the admission during an interview on Tuesday, but is yet to confirm further details regarding the baby’s name or gender
Let’s talk: Discussing his revelation on Good Morning Britain, Reid said she acknowledged why some fans viewed the decision to conceive children at a later age as ‘selfish’
However the argument opened a wider debate, with viewers inevitably divided over septuagenarian De Niro’s decision to welcome another child at such an unconventional age.
Taking to Twitter, one wrote: ‘Who’s business is to say when you can have a kid? [sic] Why say good dad or bad dad? There’s bad and good mums out there. I’m sick of dad’s getting the short end of the stick.’
A second added: ‘Children don’t care how old their parents are they just want and need loving.’
While a third posted: ‘I have divided opinion on this one I had older parents and got bullied and grief from other kids.. but then again I also got bullied and grief for being a girl with short hair soo…. I would say think about the child.’
Another added: ‘I think 79 is too old, however if one of the parents was younger I think it’s less of an issue, but I do think it’s pretty selfish. I think it’s easier for men as they don’t have the physical hurdles that older women have in terms of conceiving & the labour etc.’
Our turn: Cutting in, guests Andrew Pierce and Kevin Maguire – typically at loggerheads during their appearances on the show – jointly dismissed the idea of having children later in life
Fair point: Co-host Ed Balls pointed out that comedy legend Charlie Chaplin welcomed his eighth child when he was 73-years of age
Posting in support of the actor, a fifth wrote: ‘He’s obviously not too old to be a Dad therefore therefore the question should be “is he too old to parent a child?”’
While another disputed the claim, writing: ‘It’s selfish. There’s other issues too. Yes, young parents can pass away, but the older the parents then the less chance of them seeing their child grow up.
‘These old men get involved with young women and the women obviously want families. No consideration for the kids!’
Double-Oscar winner De Niro confirmed the birth of his seventh child while corrected an interviewer who suggested he only had six children, telling her it is now “seven, actually.”
‘I just had a baby,’ he told Entertainment Tonight Canada, without revealing the baby’s gender or the identity of the mother.
Getting involved: The argument opened a wider debate, with viewers inevitably divided over septuagenarian De Niro’s decision to welcome another child
You looking at me? De Niro attended the New York premiere of his new film, ironically titled About My Father, on Tuesday evening (pictured)
A representative for De Niro confirmed the birth to The Associated Press on Tuesday but said no other details were expected.
Attending the New York City premiere of his new film, ironically titled About My Father, on Tuesday night, De Niro told The Associated Press about becoming a father again: ‘It’s always good and mysterious and you don’t know what the hell is going to happen.’
The actor is also a parent to Drena, 51, and Raphael, 46, from his first marriage; and twins, Julian and Aaron, 27; Elliot, 24; and Helen Grace, 11, from his second marriage.
De Niro is a two-time Oscar winner for his supporting role in The Godfather: Part II and best actor in Raging Bull.
In 2011, he was also honored with the Golden Globes´ Cecil B. DeMille Award for his impact on the world of entertainment and awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom five years later.
