Maria Menounos' Husband Keven Undergaro Opens Up About Welcoming Daughter Athena at 56: 'The Older Dad's Playbook' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Keven Undergaro (left) and Maria Menounos (right).Photo:Courtesy of Keven Undergaro; Presley Ann/Getty

Courtesy of Keven Undergaro; Presley Ann/Getty

Being born in 1966 wouldn’t be so unique were it not for the fact that, at 58 years old, I have an18-month-old daughter. It makes me, what many would consider, an “older dad” — including the girl at the mall jewelry counter who asked if I was my daughter’s grandparent. Incidentally, I’m told that our friend,Hoda Kotb, was asked the same thing regarding her daughter.

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Undergaro and Menounos with their daughter Athena.Courtesy of Keven Undergaro

Courtesy of Keven Undergaro

And before we could consider alternatives such as adoption or surrogacy, along came a brain tumor for Maria’s mom, then a brain tumor for Maria. A few years later, it was pancreatic cancer for Maria. Speaking to the toxicities women endure in Hollywood and in the workplace, physical sicknesses almost always ensue. We know this from ourHeal Squadhealth podcast, but then that subject is a whole other article. Needless to say, Maria was no exception. In the years ahead, we lost Maria’s mom after a lengthy battle and Maria’s brain tumor resected along with the pancreatic tumor. Maria survived and thrived and, today, is cancer-free. Regardless, it all meant me putting fatherhood off even further.

I have little regret. Athena came at the perfect time. Having her in our lives brings so much gratitude and joy. When Maria and I bring her name up, we literally giggle. Just thinking about her, makes me smile and, at work, I find myself constantly referencing videos and photos of her. As her self-proclaimed night nurse, she has had me up twice a night since she was 3 months old. Once for a diaper change, the other for a bottle. And guess what? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Undergaro and Athena.Courtesy of Keven Undergaro

To be clear, the goal as well is to remain healthy and present for her as long as possible. Thankfully, [from] producingHeal Squad— one of the top health podcasts — I get helpful information and tips in that regard. As an older dad, my choices for all things career and life now come down to [two things]. One, will this choice keep me clear and present long-term, and two, does this make sense emotionally and financially for Athena?

Before Athena, I would never ask for or even accept help of any kind when offered. However, due to the circumstances, I’ll accept all the help I can get. In the necessary effort to hold back father time, I actually now NEED to lift weights, stay mobile and take better care of my diet. Furthermore, the trade with being an older dad is that we have more wisdom and, often, more means. I fully need to use those means for all of the above — and do.

And guess what? There’s more of us older moms and dads out there than you think — with more coming. Along with Hoda, count Tony and Sage Robbins in that group. The Robbins have a great take on it too, which helps a lot. Not to mention all the great advice you can get online.

There are as many upsides to having children young, just as there are upsides to having no children at all. We need more aunts, uncles, and grandparents, biological or otherwise, after all. But to the older dads and older moms, know that it can be every bit as amazing — maybe even more so.

source: people.com