At 77, Ina Garten opens up about her decision not to have children — and why she’s at peace with it
Veteran chef and beloved television personality Ina Garten — known to millions for her warmth, elegant cooking style, and long-running show Barefoot Contessa — recently spoke candidly about a deeply personal choice: she and her husband opted not to have children. Now 77, Garten says it’s a decision she made early — and one she does not regret.
In a recent interview on the podcast Good Hang with Amy Poehler, Garten reflected on that choice. She said she is grateful to have made it with her husband’s full support. “I just can’t imagine my life any other way — I’ve done what I wanted to do,” she told host Amy Poehler.
At first glance, choosing to remain child-free may seem surprising for someone of her generation. But for Garten, the decision was rooted not in society’s expectations — but in her past. She has spoken openly about growing up in a difficult childhood, where she experienced emotional and even physical abuse. Her upbringing left her with painful memories and a reluctance to “recreate” that kind of family environment.
In that sense, her choice was deeply personal. When asked whether motherhood might have hindered her career — especially as she built her culinary empire — Garten acknowledged the challenge, but made clear that her decision wasn’t solely about work. “I think it’s much harder,” she said of balancing children and career, though she emphasized that the avoidance of parenthood was ultimately more about her background than ambition.
Over decades of marriage — she wed Jeffrey Garten in 1968 — the couple nurtured a quiet, steady relationship built on mutual respect and shared passions. They created a fulfilling life together, rooted in love, cooking, travel, and companionship rather than conventional expectations of family.
During the interview, Garten also said she feels truly lucky: “I’ve done what I wanted to do. I’ve had just a wonderful time.” She spoke of the freedom, flexibility, and sense of identity the choice granted her — something she doubts would have been possible had she become a parent.
Still, Garten acknowledged that being child-free sometimes means missing out on certain social networks. Many of her friends’ social connections come through their children — friends of their children, school events, playdates, that sort of thing. “A lot of people’s friends are the parents of their kids’ friends,” she noted. Because she never had children, she doesn’t share that dynamic.
But despite that — and possible outside pressure — she never felt judged for her choice. She says she didn’t notice any stigma: for her, the decision was clear and final.
Now, as Garten reflects on her life from the vantage point of 77 years, she seems content. The kitchen, the laughter, the travels, the
