Spanish actress Ana Obregón has spoken candidly about the emotional journey she has experienced following the tragic death of her son, Aless Lequio, and the unique circumstances that led to the birth of her granddaughter.
Obregón’s son passed away in 2022 after battling cancer, a loss that devastated the actress. In what she described as an effort to honor his final wish—to become a father—Ana made a decision that attracted widespread public attention. In 2023, she welcomed a child through surrogacy, conceived using her late son’s preserved genetic material.
Initially described as her daughter, Ana later clarified that the child, named Anita, is in fact her granddaughter. “This little girl is not my daughter, she is my granddaughter. She is Aless’ daughter,” Obregón explained in an interview. “When she is older, I will tell her about her father—that he was a hero, so she knows who he was and why she should be proud.”
Despite continuing to mourn her son, Obregón has shared how much happiness her granddaughter has brought into her life. She described her home as now being filled with toys and laughter, even including a ball pit where the young girl playfully demands her participation. However, Ana acknowledged that as Anita grows, it has become physically more difficult to keep up, noting that carrying her has begun to strain her back.
Obregón also reflected on the trauma of learning about her son’s illness, recalling how suddenly and cruelly life changed. “We go through life believing we are invincible, that nothing bad can happen. And then one day, at 25 years old, you’re told you have an aggressive cancer,” she said. “That’s not the story you’re told growing up.”
Now 70, Ana confessed she feels more vulnerable and fearful while raising Anita than she did as a mother to Aless, as the past loss has shaped her outlook in profound ways.
The circumstances surrounding Anita’s birth sparked considerable debate in Spain, where surrogacy is not legally permitted. Anita was born in the United States through a surrogate, and Ana later completed the legal process to adopt the child, becoming her official guardian. The case stirred legal and ethical discussions, yet Ana has consistently defended her choices.
She has previously shared that following her son’s death, she felt emotionally lifeless for three years. The birth of Anita, she said, brought her back to life. “I know I will never feel the same happiness I had when Aless was alive,” she admitted in a recent interview. “That kind of pain never disappears. You don’t recover from the loss of a child—you learn to live with the absence.”
Despite that enduring sorrow, Ana says her granddaughter now gives her life renewed purpose. “From the moment Anita was born, I started breathing again. Life, once more, feels like a breath of fresh air.”
