Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 36, recently shared her thoughts on motherhood following her decision to freeze her eggs. She discussed the complexities of starting a family while juggling a political career. During an interview, she emphasized the absence of a ‘right time’ for having children. Instead of providing a timeline, she addressed the challenges, notably the high costs of childcare, which previously deterred her from considering motherhood while working.
“First of all, one thing that I hear from a lot of parents is that there’s never a right time. Perfect time.”
Ocasio-Cortez highlighted that career discussions often ignore personal aspirations and priorities outside of politics. Her life decisions, she explained, are not solely career-focused. She aims to experience life fully, which includes professional achievements and personal pursuits such as family.
The congresswoman reiterated her family-first upbringing, affirming that motherhood is a consideration in her future plans, albeit not on a specific timeline. She has not indicated any intention to leave Congress or change her career path for starting a family. Newsweek sought further comments from her on this topic.
On Dating and Personal Values
When questioned about dating someone with conservative views, Ocasio-Cortez expressed she likely wouldn’t. She underscored that political beliefs often reflect deeper personal values and compatibility, which are crucial in relationships. She noted that politics, for her, is closely tied to aligned values, suggesting these are fundamental to her approach to relationships.
Egg Freezing Decision
Her decision to freeze her eggs, announced last month, signals her desire for control over reproductive choices. Through social media, she shared steps in the process, including hormonal preparations for egg retrieval. Ocasio-Cortez stressed the importance of openly discussing reproductive healthcare, especially for working women, amid national debates on the topic.
She candidly addressed the financial aspect, revealing her health insurance doesn’t cover the procedure, which she funds entirely herself. The anticipated expense is between $8,000 and $9,000, with some clinics charging up to $16,000. Medication costs about $3,500, and storing eggs around $1,200 annually. She encourages those considering egg freezing to compare prices, especially for medication. Ocasio-Cortez criticizes the current system, arguing high costs limit reproductive options for many Americans.
Relationship Status
Regarding her dating status, Ocasio-Cortez hasn’t confirmed any recent changes. Last month, The New York Times reported her quiet breakup with fiancé Riley Roberts, whom she was engaged to in 2022. She hasn’t publicly updated on her relationship, though support from loved ones on her egg freezing decision hinted at their separation.
Potential Presidential Run
Ocasio-Cortez hasn’t announced any intentions for a 2028 presidential run. While speculation on her future persists, she has not ruled out the possibility, emphasizing her broader life ambitions beyond political office pursuits. Her recent motherhood discussions reflect considerations that extend beyond potential candidacy decisions.
Trends in Egg Freezing
Egg freezing is on the rise in the U.S. A UCLA Health study from 2025 noted a significant increase from 4,153 cycles in 2014 to 16,436 in 2021. Women are choosing this path at younger ages, with the average age dropping from 36 to 34.9 over the years. Despite the increase in egg freezing, a small percentage of women have used their eggs five to seven years following freezing. The process, although offering flexibility, doesn’t guarantee future pregnancy as age impacts fertility.
For Ocasio-Cortez, freezing eggs serves as a means to provide more options, rather than setting rigid timelines for motherhood. She continues to consider family as part of her future alongside her political career and personal endeavors.
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