A 61-year-old woman gave birth to her granddaughter after volunteering to be her son's surrogate

Anneta KonstantinidesApr 30, 2021, 03:24 IST

Cecile Eledge gave birth to her granddaughter at the age of 61 after volunteering to be her son's surrogate.Ariel Panowicz

Cecile Eledge gave birth to her granddaughter at 61 after volunteering to be her son's surrogate.
Matthew Eledge and his partner Elliot Dougherty knew it would be hard to adopt as a gay couple in Nebraska.
Insider spoke to Cecile, Matthew, and Elliot about their incredible surrogacy journey as a family.

Over the last year, Insider has followed the journey of Julie Loving, 52, who gave birth to her own granddaughter after volunteering to be her daughter's surrogate.

Julie Loving gave birth to her granddaughter after volunteering to be her daughter's surrogate. Breanna Lockwood

But Loving's story might never have happened without Cecile Eledge, who volunteered to be her son and his partner's surrogate when she was 61 years old.

Cecile Eledge volunteered to be the surrogate for her son Matthew (right) and his partner Elliot (left). Ariel Panowicz

To mark the two-year anniversary of Uma's birth, Insider caught up with Cecile, her son Matthew Eledge, 34, and his husband Elliot Dougherty, 31, to learn more about their incredible journey.

The family recently celebrated baby Uma's second birthday and shared their incredible story with Insider. Ariel Panowicz

To mark the two-year anniversary of Uma's birth, Insider caught up with Cecile, her son Matthew Eledge, 34, and his husband Elliot Dougherty, 31, to learn more about their incredible journey.

The family's story begins in 2012, when Matthew was working on a short film and asked Elliot if he would do the hairstyling.

Matthew and Elliot got married in 2015. Ariel Panowicz

The pair tied the knot in 2015, saying "I do" in the very woods where they had shot Matthew's film and fallen in love.

Matthew and Elliot during their wedding ceremony. Ariel Panowicz

It was the first time the couple would make national headlines. Matthew was dismissed from his job at a Catholic high school after revealing that he and Elliot were engaged.

Matthew and Elliot at their wedding reception. Ariel Panowicz

It was the first time the couple would make national headlines. Matthew was dismissed from his job at a Catholic high school after revealing that he and Elliot were engaged.

Matthew found a new teaching job, but the experience left him and Elliot weary. They knew they'd run into similar issues if they tried to adopt in their conservative state.

Matthew and Elliot knew it would be difficult to adopt in Nebraska as gay parents. Ariel Panowicz

Matthew found a new teaching job, but the experience left him and Elliot weary. They knew they'd run into similar issues if they tried to adopt in their conservative state.

Matthew and Elliot started looking into IVF, and Elliot's sister immediately volunteered to be their egg donor.

Matthew, Elliot, Cecile, and Elliot's sister Lea. Ariel Panowicz

Matthew and Elliot's best friend offered to be their surrogate, but their doctor was hesitant due to her health issues. That's when Cecile volunteered.

Cecile was quick to volunteer to be her son's surrogate. Ariel Panowicz

When Matthew and Elliot told their doctor about Cecile's surrogacy offer, they were shocked when she told them it could actually work.

Cecile passed all of her medical tests with flying colors. Matthew Eledge

When Cecile took a pregnancy test following the embryo transfer, she was convinced it was negative. Then Matthew came over for a visit.

Cecile with her two positive pregnancy tests. Matthew Eledge

Cecile said her experience as a surrogate was "pretty much the same" compared to her previous pregnancies when she was younger.

Cecile with her husband, Matthew, and Elliot. Matthew Eledge

The delivery day went smoothly and Cecile had a natural birth while her husband, Matthew, and Elliot cheered her on.

Matthew, Elliot, and Cecile's husband during the delivery. Ariel Panowicz

The family's story went viral shortly after Cecile gave birth, making headlines all over the world.

Cecile shortly after giving birth. Ariel Panowicz

And Cecile was touched that her story had inspired Loving to volunteer as a surrogate for her own daughter.

The family's story went viral shortly after Cecile gave birth. Ariel Panowicz

Matthew said it was "awe-inspiring" to watch his mother go through pregnancy and give birth to his daughter.

Cecile, Matthew, and Elliot with Uma. the.durt.family/Instagram

Cecile said she's still in awe sometimes when she sees her granddaughter.

Matthew and Elliot are about to become a full-time travel family with Uma, who is now 2 years old. the.durt.family/Instagram

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A 61-year-old woman gave birth to her granddaughter after volunteering to be her son's surrogate

Over the last year, Insider has followed the journey of Julie Loving, 52, who gave birth to her own granddaughter after volunteering to be her daughter's surrogate.

But Loving's story might never have happened without Cecile Eledge, who volunteered to be her son and his partner's surrogate when she was 61 years old.

To mark the two-year anniversary of Uma's birth, Insider caught up with Cecile, her son Matthew Eledge, 34, and his husband Elliot Dougherty, 31, to learn more about their incredible journey.

The family's story begins in 2012, when Matthew was working on a short film and asked Elliot if he would do the hairstyling.

The pair tied the knot in 2015, saying "I do" in the very woods where they had shot Matthew's film and fallen in love.

It was the first time the couple would make national headlines. Matthew was dismissed from his job at a Catholic high school after revealing that he and Elliot were engaged.

Matthew found a new teaching job, but the experience left him and Elliot weary. They knew they'd run into similar issues if they tried to adopt in their conservative state.

Matthew and Elliot started looking into IVF, and Elliot's sister immediately volunteered to be their egg donor.

Matthew and Elliot's best friend offered to be their surrogate, but their doctor was hesitant due to her health issues. That's when Cecile volunteered.

When Matthew and Elliot told their doctor about Cecile's surrogacy offer, they were shocked when she told them it could actually work.

When Cecile took a pregnancy test following the embryo transfer, she was convinced it was negative. Then Matthew came over for a visit.

Cecile said her experience as a surrogate was "pretty much the same" compared to her previous pregnancies when she was younger.

The delivery day went smoothly and Cecile had a natural birth while her husband, Matthew, and Elliot cheered her on.

The family's story went viral shortly after Cecile gave birth, making headlines all over the world.

And Cecile was touched that her story had inspired Loving to volunteer as a surrogate for her own daughter.

Matthew said it was "awe-inspiring" to watch his mother go through pregnancy and give birth to his daughter.

Cecile said she's still in awe sometimes when she sees her granddaughter.