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!
“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.”
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.
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.
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’.”
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!