A couple from Greece, Cristina Rapti-Tzelepi, aged 54, and Constantinos Raptis, aged 60, have welcomed their second child, a baby girl named Georgia. This joyful addition comes after the tragic loss of their only son, Giorgos, who passed away in an accident in October 2025. The couple’s new arrival was made possible through the use of a 22-year-old frozen embryo, a decision influenced by the stringent age limits for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedures in Greece.
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Cristina and Constantinos made the choice to proceed with this frozen embryo shortly after experiencing profound grief from the loss of their son. “An accident occurred and we lost our child,” Cristina recounted. In the wake of their tragedy, the couple felt compelled to honour Giorgos by bringing new life into their home. “Sometime later — even while in deep mourning — we decided to make use of the embryos that were already cryopreserved,” she elaborated.
On the 9th of September, 2026, Cristina gave birth to their daughter at a hospital in Athens. Weighing 7 lbs and 11 oz, little Georgia was not just a new member of the family, but also a poignant tribute to their late son, Giorgos. The family’s decision to act quickly was primarily driven by the urgency imposed by Greek laws on IVF. At 54, Cristina faced a limited window for obtaining federal approval to proceed with the procedure.
Describing the emotional journey, Rapti-Tzelepi noted, “Due to time constraints and the strict age limits imposed by the legal framework, we had to act very quickly.” She explained that she had a mere 2½ months to navigate the approval process before reaching an age where she could no longer undergo the treatment in Greece.
The age of the frozen embryo marks an unusual case; however, it is not unprecedented. The oldest embryo to successfully result in a live birth was recorded as being 31 years old, according to Guinness World Records. Nevertheless, Cristina and Constantinos, aware of the finite options available to them, remarked they may consider travelling abroad for future IVF attempts, should they wish to expand their family further.
Photographs from the hospital depicted the new parents surrounding their daughter with warmth and excitement, with celebratory decorations such as a pink balloon announcing, “It’s a girl” in their room. The couple shared their hopes for a brighter future, sparked by Georgia’s arrival. “We decided to give life a second chance, to make a new start,” Cristina stated, expressing her wishes for their daughter to grow up happy and healthy.
Constantinos echoed similar sentiments, stating that Georgia provides an escape from the “darkness” that had enveloped their lives since their son’s passing. “Along with the little one came the oxygen that enabled us to breathe and get on with our lives because we were living in absolute darkness,” he reflected.
The couple expressed profound gratitude for the support they received during this challenging period. Cristina praised their gynecologist, Dr. Kostas Pantos, for playing a crucial role in guiding them through their journey, allowing them to overcome each obstacle along the way. “He took us by the hand and pulled us out of our deepest darkness,” Constantinos remarked, holding Georgia gently in his arms.
As they begin this new chapter as a family of four, the couple remains committed to fostering joy and laughter in their lives, inspired by their late son’s memory. Their journey underscores not only the profound pain of loss but also the resilience of the human spirit in the pursuit of hope and new beginnings.