Mary Fitzgerald’s Intimate IVF Journey: Family Plans, Surrogacy, and New Beginnings on Selling Sunset
In an exciting and deeply personal turn for fans of Netflix’s hit reality series, Selling Sunset, prominent Oppenheim Group agent Mary Fitzgerald is set to open up about a significantly more intimate chapter of her life. Viewers can expect to witness Mary’s deeply personal journey into family planning and fertility treatments alongside her husband, Romain Bonnet, as these heartfelt moments are unveiled in the upcoming seasons four and five of the popular show. This decision to share such a private experience offers an unprecedented look into the lives of the reality stars, moving beyond the luxury real estate deals and interpersonal drama that typically characterize the series.
Mary Fitzgerald, a seasoned real estate professional and beloved personality on Selling Sunset, has confirmed that she and Romain Bonnet will embark on an in vitro fertilization (IVF) journey. This path includes the proactive step of embryo freezing, a critical component of their long-term family planning strategy. In an exclusive interview with HollywoodLife, the 39-year-old real estate expert shed light on the challenges and delays they’ve faced in initiating this process, while also candidly expressing her true feelings about the prospect of expanding her family with Romain.
“Things change every day for my life,” Mary stated, reflecting on the dynamic nature of her demanding career and personal commitments. “Romain [age 26] and I need to do that, the embryo freezing, because I still didn’t get checked about a year, probably a year and a half ago now.” She revealed that the initial timeline for beginning the IVF process had been significantly delayed. Despite her initial scheduling, the realities of her busy life, particularly with filming Selling Sunset and managing her flourishing real estate career, consistently pushed back her medical appointments. “But, I was supposed to do it and just haven’t really had time. And so, that is a priority. We have to just make sure that option is there whenever, and if ever we want to do it.” This acknowledgment highlights the practical difficulties many individuals face when trying to balance significant life decisions with professional demands, making her story relatable to a broad audience.
Elaborating further on the process, Mary candidly admitted that “embryo freezing” is “hard,” a sentiment that explains the ongoing delays. “That’s why I haven’t done it,” she confessed. She then offered a simplified explanation of the complex medical procedure for her fans. “You have to do a bunch of shots to get your egg counts up, and it creates a ton of them, and they all drop so [doctors] can extract them. They look to find the best eggs and then they take Romain’s sperm, implant it and make it grow. So it’s an embryo, not just a single egg.” This description helps demystify the IVF process for viewers, providing insight into the physical and emotional toll it can take. The necessity of hormonal injections, the careful monitoring of egg development, and the precise timing required for extraction are all significant commitments that require a clear schedule and mental preparation. Mary’s openness about these practicalities helps viewers understand the personal sacrifice involved.
Mary further emphasized her specific preference for freezing embryos rather than just eggs. “The chances are better with embryos for them to take,” she explained, highlighting a common medical understanding that fertilized embryos generally have a higher success rate for implantation compared to unfertilized eggs. Her decision is also deeply rooted in her commitment to Romain. “And since I would have no interest if I wasn’t doing it with Romain, in a couple of years, we’re not ready right now, but I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else.” This sentiment clarifies why she isn’t simply opting for egg freezing, which offers more flexibility in choosing a partner later. “A lot of people say ‘just freeze your eggs because otherwise it can only be that person’s baby.’ But, I wouldn’t be doing it anyway if it wasn’t for him. I’m good. I’ve already done it,” she reiterated, referencing her experience as a mother. This demonstrates a clear, personal choice aligned with her relationship and existing motherhood, rather than solely focusing on maximum future flexibility.
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Mary is already a mother to her 22-year-old son, Austin, from a previous relationship. This existing experience with motherhood shapes her perspective on expanding her family. “With my age, I don’t feel like it’s something I’m missing in my life. It’s not something I need so,” Mary said, highlighting her contentment and pragmatic approach to life. She added, “But, [embryo freezing] is something I would be willing to do.” This distinction is crucial; while she doesn’t feel an innate “need” to have another child, she is actively willing to pursue options like embryo freezing to potentially have a child with Romain, should they decide to take that step in the future. This measured outlook reflects a deep sense of self-awareness and prioritizes a shared future with her husband rather than fulfilling an individual desire.
For her part, Mary is striving to remain grounded and focused on the present, rather than getting ahead of herself with future plans that can feel overwhelming. “I’m not even thinking far ahead,” she said, acknowledging the emotional weight that these medical decisions carry. She confessed that even the thought of beginning the embryo freezing process “makes me nervous enough just going in to get it done.” This honest admission resonates with many who face fertility treatments, recognizing the anxiety associated with medical procedures, hormone treatments, and the uncertainty of outcomes. Her vulnerability in sharing these fears adds another layer of authenticity to her story, allowing viewers to connect with her on a more profound human level.
When questioned about the possibility of surrogacy, a modern family-building option gaining traction, Mary revealed that she has given it considerable thought. Initially, the idea was met with some surprise from Romain. “Romain thought I was crazy at first, when I mentioned that, and then, he understood the reasoning,” she explained. This initial skepticism is common, but Mary’s careful articulation of her motivations helped bridge that gap. Her reasoning is both practical and deeply personal: “I mean I was 16 when I had my son and I was like my body’s not going to bounce back. Also, going through pregnancy and everything like that when I’m so busy. Why not [surrogacy]? If the technology’s there, I’m open to it,” Mary continued. Her past experience with pregnancy at a young age, coupled with her current demanding career and lifestyle, makes surrogacy an appealing and logical alternative. She sees it as leveraging available medical advancements to achieve their family goals in a way that aligns with their circumstances. “It makes sense. But we haven’t made the decision that we are going to do it. But, I am open to it,” she clarified, emphasizing that while it’s a serious consideration, no final commitment has been made. This dialogue on surrogacy further highlights the diverse pathways to parenthood that modern medicine offers, and Mary’s open-mindedness to exploring all viable options.
Mary and Romain’s relationship has been a central narrative on Selling Sunset since its inception. The couple exchanged vows in March 2018, and their beautiful engagement and subsequent nuptials were prominently featured in the first and second seasons of the show. Their journey together, from meeting to marriage, has captivated audiences, showcasing a love story that transcends age differences and professional pressures. Their decision to now share their fertility journey further solidifies their commitment to each other and to giving viewers an authentic glimpse into their lives. The announcement that Netflix renewed the hit real estate show for two additional seasons in March means that fans will not only follow their professional endeavors but also delve into this deeply personal and emotional chapter, offering a compelling blend of aspirational luxury and down-to-earth human experiences. This commitment to transparency and sharing their personal struggles and triumphs is a testament to the connection Mary and Romain have built with their audience.
The upcoming seasons promise to be some of the most emotionally charged yet, as Mary and Romain navigate the intricate world of IVF and potential surrogacy. Their story provides a powerful platform to discuss important topics like fertility, age, career-life balance, and modern family planning. By allowing cameras into these intimate moments, Mary Fitzgerald not only broadens the scope of Selling Sunset but also empowers countless viewers who may be facing similar decisions. Her journey underscores the message that family building can take many forms and that openness and honesty are key in facing life’s biggest choices. As fans eagerly await seasons four and five, they will undoubtedly be rooting for Mary and Romain as they pursue their dreams of expanding their family.