Culture

Cameron Diaz, 53, Welcomes Third Child, Son Nautas, with Husband Benji Madden

The actress and her rock star husband announce the birth of their son, whose name means 'sailor' and 'voyager,' as Diaz reflects on the challenges and joys of older motherhood.

5 min
Cameron Diaz, 53, Welcomes Third Child, Son Nautas, with Husband Benji Madden
The actress and her rock star husband announce the birth of their son, whose name means 'sailor' and 'voyager,' as Diaz Credit · HELLO! Magazine

Key facts

  • Cameron Diaz, 53, and Benji Madden, 47, welcomed their third child, a son named Nautas Madden, on May 4, 2026.
  • Nautas joins sister Raddix, born in December 2019, and brother Cardinal, born in March 2024; all three children were born via surrogate.
  • The couple married in January 2015 and have been open about their struggles with infertility, including IVF, acupuncture, and supplements.
  • Benji Madden announced the birth on Instagram, sharing a picture of a ship and a description of the name's meaning: 'Sailor, navigator, voyager. One who embarks on a journey and fears not the unknown.'
  • Diaz commented on the post with heart and sparkle emojis; she previously told Naomi Campbell that becoming a mother later in life was 'a real choice' that required hard work.
  • In a recent interview, Diaz said, 'The only pressure for me now is I have to live to be, like, 107,' referencing her desire to stay vital for her children.

A Surprise Announcement on Social Media

Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden have become parents for the third time. The 53-year-old actress and the 47-year-old Good Charlotte guitarist welcomed a son named Nautas Madden on Monday, May 4, 2026. Madden broke the news on Instagram early Monday, writing: 'Cameron and I are Happy, Excited, and feeling so BLESSED to announce the birth of our third Child, Nautas Madden. Welcome to the world Son!!' He added that the family is 'having a blast' and that their children are 'healthy and happy.' Diaz responded in the comments with a series of heart and sparkle emojis. The announcement came as a surprise to fans, as the couple had not publicly disclosed a pregnancy. The post included a picture of a ship and a card explaining the origin of the name: 'Sailor, navigator, voyager. One who embarks on a journey and fears not the unknown.'

The Couple's Journey to Parenthood

Diaz and Madden married in January 2015 after a brief courtship. They welcomed their first child, daughter Raddix, via surrogate in December 2019, announcing the news in early January 2020. Their second child, son Cardinal, was born in March 2024. Both previous births were also announced on social media, with the couple choosing not to share photos of their children for 'safety and privacy.' The arrival of Nautas follows a similar pattern, with no images of the newborn released. The couple has been candid about their fertility struggles. According to a source, they underwent IVF, acupuncture, and supplements in their quest to have a baby. 'They went through so much to get to this point,' a source said when Raddix was born. 'Cameron feels like this baby is truly a miracle.' Another source added, 'There were disappointments along the way, so it was difficult and stressful at times. But they say it was a price worth paying.'

Diaz on Motherhood at 53

Diaz has spoken openly about becoming a mother later in life. In an interview with Naomi Campbell on her YouTube series No Filter, she explained: 'Having a family when you're young…it's like anything when you're young: You do it. But when you're my age and you decide to do it, it's a real choice. You really have to work hard for it.' In a rare interview just last week, Diaz told OK! Magazine: 'I love being a mother. It's the best, best, best part of my life.' She acknowledged the unique pressures of older motherhood, saying: 'The only pressure for me now is I have to live to be, like, 107, you know? The women who have children my age are literally 20 years younger and that's an interesting place to be because I'm not that age. And that's totally OK — but I want to feel vital like that for my child.'

A Growing Family: Raddix, Cardinal, and Nautas

The Maddens now have three children: daughter Raddix, age 6; son Cardinal, age 2; and newborn Nautas. All three were born via surrogate, a choice the couple made after struggling with infertility. Diaz and Madden have been protective of their children's privacy, rarely sharing details or images publicly. The birth announcements for Cardinal and Nautas followed the same pattern: a social media post with a name explanation but no photos. The name Nautas, derived from the Latin 'nauta,' meaning sailor or navigator, reflects a theme of journey and adventure. The couple's choice of names for their children — Raddix, Cardinal, and Nautas — suggests a preference for unique, meaningful monikers.

The Broader Context: Older Motherhood in Hollywood

Diaz's journey to motherhood at 53 places her among a growing number of women in the public eye who have children later in life. Advances in reproductive technology, including surrogacy and IVF, have made it possible for women to become mothers well into their 40s and 50s. However, Diaz's experience also highlights the emotional and physical toll of fertility treatments. The couple's openness about their struggles — including IVF, acupuncture, and supplements — has resonated with many who face similar challenges. Diaz's reflection on wanting to 'live to be 107' underscores a common concern among older parents: the desire to remain healthy and present for their children as they grow up. Her candidness about the 'interesting place' of being a mother at an age when many of her peers are already grandmothers adds a personal dimension to a broader societal shift.

What Comes Next for the Madden Family

With the arrival of Nautas, the Maddens are now a family of five. The couple has not indicated whether they plan to have more children, but Diaz's comments about the 'real choice' and hard work involved in later-in-life parenting suggest that this may be their last addition. Diaz has been on an acting hiatus since her last film role, focusing on her family and personal life. She has said that motherhood is 'the best part of my life,' and her priorities have clearly shifted away from Hollywood. For now, the family is likely to remain out of the spotlight, with Diaz and Madden sharing only occasional updates. The couple's commitment to privacy, combined with their joy in parenthood, suggests that Nautas will grow up away from the glare of celebrity culture, much like his siblings.

The bottom line

  • Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden welcomed their third child, son Nautas, on May 4, 2026, via surrogate.
  • Diaz became a mother for the first time at age 47 and now has three children at 53, reflecting a trend of older motherhood enabled by reproductive technology.
  • The couple has been open about their fertility struggles, including IVF, acupuncture, and supplements, and described their children as 'miracles.'
  • Diaz has said that becoming a mother later in life was 'a real choice' that required hard work, and she feels pressure to live long enough to be vital for her children.
  • The family values privacy, sharing birth announcements on social media but not releasing photos of their children.
Galerie
Cameron Diaz, 53, Welcomes Third Child, Son Nautas, with Husband Benji Madden — image 1Cameron Diaz, 53, Welcomes Third Child, Son Nautas, with Husband Benji Madden — image 2Cameron Diaz, 53, Welcomes Third Child, Son Nautas, with Husband Benji Madden — image 3Cameron Diaz, 53, Welcomes Third Child, Son Nautas, with Husband Benji Madden — image 4Cameron Diaz, 53, Welcomes Third Child, Son Nautas, with Husband Benji Madden — image 5Cameron Diaz, 53, Welcomes Third Child, Son Nautas, with Husband Benji Madden — image 6
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