Birthday child for caring Jen
JENNIFER ANISTON will mark her 50th birthday tomorrow – by adopting a child from a Mexican orphanage.
The star has told friends she will finally start a family but without a man at her side. Guests will be among a galaxy of Hollywood A-listers, including ex-husband Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, ex-Friends co-star Courteney Cox and her fiancé, Irish rocker Johnny McDaid, partying at her £16million mansion in Bel Air, Los Angeles.
One said yesterday: “It has long been her dream to become a mom and she believes there will never be a better time than now to make that dream come true, even without a husband or partner.”
The former Friends actress, who split from second husband Justin Theroux a year ago, has quietly supported the Casa Hogar Sion hospice and orphanage in Tijuana for almost a decade. She co-founded a charity to raise funds for the orphanage after visiting it with friend and acting coach Leigh Kilton-Smith.
Ms Kilton-Smith has said: “She has come to the rescue so many times to save kids from falling into positions of desperation. They adore her down there.”
Now she has asked orphanage officials about formally adopting a child from the border town, blighted by drug cartels.
“International adoptions are never easy but she has set the ball rolling,” said the friend.
The actress is searching for a country retreat – far from the glare of Hollywood – where she can raise a child in peace.
She viewed at least three properties last month during a visit to Jackson Hole in Wyoming, accompanied by TV chat host Jimmy Kimmel and actor/director Jason Bateman.
Her friend added: “Once she has found the perfect retreat, she will go ahead with the adoption. She and Justin Theroux had been planning to adopt together but even though their marriage went awry, Jen is adamant about wanting to raise a child whether or not there’s a man in her life.”
Astonishingly, the actress is said to have invited first husband Pitt to her birthday, even though he is reportedly dating Charlize Theron while finalising his divorce from Angelina Jolie.
Jen’s friend said: “I think she just wanted to let him know there’s no bad blood between them any more but I doubt he’ll turn up with Charlize on his arm.
“Brad is too diplomatic and respectful to want to steal the limelight from his ex-wife’s happy day.”