Becoming a parent is a life-changing moment that stays with you forever. Holding your child for the first time creates a bond that words can hardly describe. For Adriana Iliescu, that moment came in an extraordinary way.In 2005, Adriana made global headlines when she gave birth to her first child, Eliza, at the age of 66, becoming the world’s oldest mother at the time and earning a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Despite heavy criticism and public scrutiny, Adriana described the birth of her daughter as the greatest joy of her life.
For years, Adriana stayed out of the spotlight, but recent photos of Eliza have renewed interest in their story. Adriana has always insisted that she never felt her age and believed her vitality mattered more than numbers. She maintained a healthy lifestyle and devoted herself fully to raising her daughter.
Adriana’s path to motherhood was not easy. Earlier in life, health issues, personal setbacks, and the absence of IVF technology delayed her chance to have children. When IVF finally became available in Romania, she persisted despite failed attempts, public judgment, and personal loss. Eliza was born prematurely and spent time in intensive care, but she grew into a bright, happy, and intelligent young woman.
Now in her 80s, Adriana remains mentally sharp, continues writing children’s books, and occasionally teaches. Eliza, now a teenager, excels academically and plans to attend college. Adriana says her daughter is a gift from God—and proof that love, dedication, and resilience matter more than age.
