Keira Knightley Discusses Battling Postpartum Depression
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In a recent episode of Giovanna Fletcher’s podcast, “Happy Mum Happy Baby,” Keira Knightley candidly shared her personal experience with postpartum depression. The 40-year-old actress, known for her roles in films like “The Woman in Cabin 10” and “Black Doves,” detailed the challenges she faced after giving birth to her two children, Delilah, 6, and Edie, 10, with her husband James Righton.
Knightley recounted feeling a significant “hormonal crash” following the birth of her children, which led to her seeking therapy to cope with postnatal depression. She described the emotional turmoil she went through, highlighting the confusion she felt without the physical symptoms that typically accompany such mental health struggles.
Despite having a smooth childbirth experience without major complications, Knightley admitted to struggling with sleep deprivation for three years. She explained that even though everything seemed fine from a medical standpoint, the profound life changes that motherhood brought about affected her deeply.
Reflecting on the changes in her postpartum body, Knightley expressed surprise that her figure didn’t bounce back as expected. She shared that she adopted a positive attitude towards her new body shape, prioritizing comfort and more important things over unrealistic beauty standards.
The actress also touched upon the lack of support and understanding she felt from the public during that challenging time in her life. Knightley criticised the societal focus on superficial matters like getting back into pre-pregnancy clothes and returning to work, highlighting the lack of empathy and meaningful discussions around postpartum mental health.
Knightley recently spoke out about her concerns regarding her children’s exposure to social media and unrestricted online spaces. She emphasised the importance of protecting children from unregulated online environments and revealed that she and her husband have implemented a strict no-social-media rule in their household to safeguard their daughters.
Acknowledging the prevalence of technology in today’s society, Knightley expressed uncertainty about the long-term implications of limiting her children’s access to social media. She also discussed the peer pressure issues related to online interactions, highlighting the importance of creating a safe and regulated digital environment for young individuals.
In a radio interview on BBC Radio 4, Knightley elaborated on her family’s approach to managing social media use, mentioning their participation in a school community that values a “social media-free” childhood. She praised the collective effort of like-minded parents in prioritising online safety and emphasised the need for a balanced approach to technology usage in children’s lives.
As Knightley continues to navigate parenthood and share her insights on maternal mental health and digital wellbeing, her openness and advocacy serve as a reminder of the importance of supporting women in their motherhood journey and safeguarding children in today’s digital age.
This article was originally published on October 28, 2025, on PEOPLE and offers a glimpse into Keira Knightley’s journey through postpartum depression and her commitment to promoting a healthy upbringing for her children amidst the challenges of modern-day parenting.