Valentina Podverbnaja, Ukrainian woman who gave birth at 66, dies at 81

Valentina Podverbnaja, known for becoming one of Ukraine’s oldest mothers at age 66, has passed away in Chernihiv at the age of 81. Her body was discovered by her daughter, Ana-Marija, during a visit.

To achieve motherhood, Podverbnaja spent years working at a market and living on a minimal diet of bread and potatoes to fund in vitro fertilization. Despite initial rejections from the Kyiv Institute of Reproductive Genetics due to her age and health risks, a third attempt using donor cells was successful. She gave birth to Ana-Marija on February 22, 2011.

Following the birth, Podverbnaja faced significant legal and personal challenges, including the loss of parental rights due to scrutiny over the child's living conditions and family conflicts.