Reese Witherspoon opens up about postpartum depression
In an interview for Harper’s Bazaar
The Legally Blonde star Reese Witherspoon graces the cover of the latest British issue of Harper’s Bazaar, dedicated to the remarkable women of 2025. The actress appears not only on the cover but also in a lavish photo shoot conceived and styled by Miranda Almond.
The shoot was captured by Alexi Lubomirski – the acclaimed British photographer who famously took the official engagement and wedding portraits of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The 49-year-old star dazzles in a series of striking looks from leading global fashion houses, including Satin & Lace, Nina Ricci, McQueen, Aquazzura, De Beers, Huishan Zhang, Tom Ford, Ermanno Scervino, and Stella McCartney.
On the magazine’s cover, Witherspoon appears in a black CELINE dress adorned with a voluminous bow across the bodice.
In her candid conversation with the publication, Reese opened up about the difficult period following the birth of her daughter Ava. At the time, she was only 23 years old.
«It was really bad. During the first six months I was both happy and deeply depressed. I cried all the time, couldn’t sleep, and felt utterly exhausted. It was a hormonal crash I hadn’t anticipated – it began right after giving birth and returned when I stopped breastfeeding», Witherspoon admitted.
The actress said it was nearly impossible to talk about what she was going through – there was too much unsolicited advice and pressure from those around her:
«It’s hard being a young mother when everyone feels entitled to tell you how to give birth, how to feed, how to respond. It’s an endless stream».
Reese noted that she was fortunate to have access to mental health support – something many women struggling with postpartum depression have to face without help.
In her interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the actress also reflected on menopause. She shared that this new chapter of life brought memory lapses and a feeling of «mental fog».
«We’re all going through it, and we need to be patient with one another. I’m very grateful to women like Gwyneth Paltrow and Naomi Watts for speaking openly about their experiences. Their honesty helped me as well», said Witherspoon.
The actress is a mother of three: 26-year-old Ava and 21-year-old Deacon from her first marriage to Ryan Phillippe, and 12-year-old Tennessee from her second husband, Jim Toth.
Photo: Instagram @bazaaruk
