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Lisa Ray Is Now A Mother To Twin Daughters, Shares Her Surrogacy Story To Inspire Others

byJinal Bhatt
17th September 2018
2 minute read

Model, actress, cancer survivor and now a mother—Lisa Ray’s life has prompted her to take on several roles. But something tells you, this has been the one she’s most eager to play.

Lisa Ray, via an Instagram post, announced the birth of twin daughters Sufi and Soleil via surrogacy!

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It’s certainly official. Jason and I have chosen to share the intimate story of our surrogacy journey as a way to normalize and embrace fertility possibilities for everyone. Please do read and share the piece. It’s not easy but achievable. Luminous souls Sufi and Soleil are expanding us in ways we never thought possible…and catching me by surprise as I grow into motherhood. Takes a village, and I am grateful for all your love and support(I’m going to be leaning on some of you for mama night outs and baby-sitting backup as I complete my book) Thanks @bombaytimes and @bazinga_ent @aligphoto for the images Fab MUH @JoMakeupArtist (and as always @preetasukhtankar for being the best maushi, all the support and baby styling 😜) Stand back world: here comes Soufflé (Sufi plus Soleil equals the best dish in the universe) Click on link to read about our surrogacy journey.

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“Stand back world: here comes Soufflé (Sufi plus Soleil equals the best dish in the universe).”

In an exclusive with TOI, Lisa spoke about why she and her husband Jason Dehni considered sharing their surrogacy story would be a good idea. She hoped that it would help clear the air of the myths and stigma surrounding surrogacy.

“Jason and I have chosen to share the intimate story of our surrogacy journey as a way to normalize and embrace fertility possibilities for everyone.”

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Pre-birthday dinner @beetrestaurant – outstanding tasting menu. Dreamy and floaty in @ilovepero and in intimacy with my three loves: papa, hubby and the full moon 🙏🏼 Thank you truly for all the honeyed wishes in advance. I am in constant gratitude for all you bodhisattvas who put compassion and love at the centre of everything. May I be more at home in myself, more aware and awakened, more loving. May I be carried on ‘the winds of homecoming’ – as Rilke called the inner tug- to a deeper intention to manifest the best version of myself. And I invite even more art in my life. I have a list of preferred art works if anyone wants to throw a gift my way 😜 #46 #Arian #firebeings

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Lisa and Jason’s tryst with surrogacy was not without its struggles.

Elaborating further on the issues they faced, Lisa revealed how her battle with cancer and a later relapse meant she couldn’t bear children. The couple wanted to op for surrogacy in India itself; however, only a few days after their decision, the country had outlawed commercial surrogacy.

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Courtesy @bombaytimes: ‘Lisa shared, “Every new phase of life challenges my openness and the ability to adapt with each new experience.” Lisa and Jason have named their daughters Sufi — the mystic — and Soleil — the French word for ‘sun’. They were born via surrogacy in Tbilisi, Georgia, in June. “It has been an arduous and interesting experience. Having been diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a form of blood cancer) in 2009, which requires me to be on a lifelong dose of medication, pre-empted the possibility for me to carry children myself. Fortunately, technology has progressed where there are choices and new possibilities for having children. My husband and I decided to pursue surrogacy. India was the obvious choice. We consulted a reputed fertility doctor, but a week before we could begin, India outlawed commercial surrogacy. We were crushed. While I understand the pressing need to regulate the industry and prevent exploitation of surrogate mothers, it was a case of literally throwing out the baby with the bath water. But, I was determined. My husband and I were advised we could continue the process in India and that there were ‘ways’. But we did not want to bring our children into the world under a cloud of uncertainty,” she said.’ Image @aligphoto MUH @jomakeupartist PR manager @bazinga_ent

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After a failed attempt in Mexico, the couple decided to try once more in Georgia, where surrogacy is legal and fair to both parties. Their persistence paid off and they’ve now been blessed with two little angels!

Just like every new mother, Lisa too has plans for how she plans on raising her daughters.

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Via @bombaytimes: ‘The actress says she wanted to share her story to clear the myths around surrogacy. “I wanted to share our struggles and triumph. Having been open about my cancer journey and receiving so much unconditional support, sharing this moment of happiness feels right. Hopefully, our story can give hope to others who are struggling to have kids. Life throws you both challenges and miracles, and I’m unspeakably grateful for my miracle daughters,” she said. So, what plans does she have for her girls in future? “I will teach my girls to be resilient, strong, open, and that they can achieve anything they set their hearts on. There are no boundaries, except the ones in our minds and children have no idea of what they can and cannot achieve. Bringing up the next generation to be kind is the greatest chance we have for a better future. I can’t resist whispering in their tiny ears — ‘The Future is Female’,” she asserted.’ Images @aligphoto MUH @jomakeupartist PR manager @bazinga_ent

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Calling them her ‘miracle daughters’, Lisa elaborates,

“I will teach my girls to be resilient, strong, open, and that they can achieve anything they set their hearts on. I can’t resist whispering in their tiny ears — ‘The Future is Female’.”

Hear hear!

And what of her husband, Jason? How is he taking to the new role of Dad to these little girls? Lisa revealed that he’s equally excited!

“I love to see Jason with them, growing into his new role as a father, holding them, changing diapers, with a burp cloth I got him, which is embroidered with ‘Men Who Change Diapers, Change the World’.”

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Via @bombaytimes: ‘Lisa narrated the tough and, at times, frustrating journey they had to undertake, “We hired an agency to help, had an unsuccessful attempt in Mexico, and spent a lot of money, emotional resources and sleepless nights. But as a cancer survivor, I firmly believe in overcoming the odds. And with my husband and a few close friends’ support, we hoped for the best. Finally, we settled on Georgia, where the surrogacy process is legal, transparent, regulated and overall beneficial for both sides. We relocated to Tbilisi for a few months for the birth.” The actress believes that she has successfully buried her old views that having kids would slow her down. Talking about her husband’s role in their journey, she said, “My husband and I are becoming parents in our mid-40s, which is also unconventional, but the right time for us. I love to see Jason with them, growing into his new role as a father, holding them, changing diapers, with a burp cloth I got him, which is embroidered with ‘Men Who Change Diapers, Change the World’.” Images @aligphoto MUH @jomakeupartist PR manager @bazinga_ent

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The new parents, who had relocated to Tbilisi, Georgia, for a few months for the birth of their daughters, cannot wait to bring them home to Mumbai!

Sharing their story is a way for them to give other couples looking at surrogacy the hope they need to pursue it.

“My husband and I are becoming parents in our mid-40s, which is also unconventional, but the right time for us.”

Now that’s a beautiful sentiment!

Here’s wishing Lisa Ray and Jason Dehni, proud new Mommy and Daddy to Sufi and Soleil, all the happiness and blessings in the world!

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