Patricia Clarkson is sharing her story and becoming a powerful voice for women who choose not to get married and have children. It’s a decision she doesn’t regret at all because it was the right one for her in the long run, even though society was often telling her otherwise.

The 63-year-old actress opened up on iHeartPodcast’s podcast, Table for Two with Bruce Bozzi, about why she believes that choosing not to be a mother “doesn’t have to define every woman.” She explained, “I made a big choice, but I knew it when I was young.” She almost changed her mind about marriage and starting a family “with this one artist I dated when I was like 38.” However, her acting career won out in the end.

“I had a window to have a child, but [at] the end of the day I loved working, and I grew up with great parents who sacrificed everything for me,” Clarkson explained. “And you have to really be committed to having children. You have to be a great parent, and I was afraid I couldn’t be.” She came to the conclusion that she was “fine failing as an actor,” but she “didn’t want to fail at being a parent.” 

Her mother even worried that she would “wake up at 50 and be unhappy,” but the Easy A star revealed she had a much different experience when that milestone arrived. “I woke up at 50 in stilettos and a thong,” she revealed. “I’ve had a great sexy-ass life.” It sounds like Clarkson confidently made the perfect choice for her life.

Before you go, click here to see actresses over 50 who are more successful now than ever.

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