In May 2013, Maria Menounos launched a new interview series titled Conversations with Maria Menounos, featuring Zoe Saldana as her first guest. Fast forward to the present, and the world has been captivated by another significant chapter in Menounos' life: the arrival of her first child.
Maria Menounos Welcomes First Child
Maria Menounos and her husband, Keven Undergaro, welcomed their first child, a daughter named Athena Alexandra, via surrogate on June 23, 2023. This joyous occasion comes after a decade-long journey filled with challenges and perseverance. In February, Menounos announced the exciting news that she and Undergaro were expecting their first child together.
The couple's path to parenthood was not without its hurdles. Just one month before announcing her pregnancy, Menounos revealed that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier that year. Despite these health battles, the Emmy Award-winning TV host remains resilient, urging others to recognize the symptoms and risk factors associated with pancreatic cancer.
A Decade-Long Journey
Menounos expressed her gratitude for the family who helped them conceive their baby through surrogacy. Just after a decade of trying everything, we are so grateful to the beautiful family helping us conceive our baby, she shared. The couple faced numerous fertility challenges over the years, but their determination never wavered.
Growing up, Menounos spoke Greek first, which contributed to difficulties with reading comprehension early in life. However, she credits her now-husband, Keven, for his unwavering support during those formative years. At the time, I was dating my now husband Keven, and he would chuckle at my struggles but always encouraged me, she recalled.
Keven Undergaro: The Love Story
Maria Menounos and Keven Undergaro met on the set of an independent film when she was just 19 years old. A spark ignited between them, leading to a relationship that began in 1998. Their bond grew stronger over nearly two decades before they finally tied the knot during Fox's New Year's Eve broadcast.
Undergaro, a Hollywood writer, fondly remembers their initial meeting: When I first met Maria, I had never met anyone like her. Their connection proved unshakable, enduring various trials such as Menounos' battle against a benign brain tumor, diabetes, and ultimately pancreatic cancer.
New Challenges in Parenthood
While transitioning into parenthood feels natural to Menounos and Undergaro, it hasn't come without its share of unexpected challenges. The couple experienced the devastating loss of Menounos' mother in 2021. Yet, amidst these hardships, Menounos continues to practice manifestation—a daily habit where she navigates uncertainty with positive thinking and appreciation for life's blessings.
As the world celebrates the arrival of Athena Alexandra, fans are reminded of Maria Menounos' strength, resilience, and unwavering optimism. Her story serves as an inspiration to many navigating similar journeys in life.
