In the world of Australian television, few faces are as beloved as Emily Symons. Known to millions as the bubbly and kind-hearted Marilyn Chambers on Home and Away, Symons has spent decades navigating the dramatic highs and lows of Summer Bay. However, it is her real-life journey toward motherhood—often resurfacing in social media headlines—that remains her most profound and inspiring story.

While recent online rumors have sparked “surprising” headlines regarding the actress and news at the age of 51, the true story is one of a “miracle” birth that occurred a few years ago, providing hope to women struggling with fertility across the globe.

A Long Road to Motherhood

For years, Emily Symons was open about her deep desire to become a mother. Having spent much of her 30s “anguished” by the inability to conceive, she underwent a grueling and often “soul-destroying” series of IVF treatments. Like many women facing fertility challenges, Symons reached a point where she believed the window had closed.

“I very much thought it couldn’t happen and I was too old,” Symons previously told TV WEEK. “I thought it would be impossible… I’d given up, really.”

However, with the support of her then-partner, radio executive Paul Jackson, Symons decided to try one final round of IVF. Against what she felt were impossible odds, the treatment was successful.

The Arrival of Henry

In August 2015, just one week before her 46th birthday, Emily Symons gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Henry Richard Francis Jackson. Weighing 2.6kg and delivered via caesarean, Henry was immediately dubbed a “miracle baby” by the press and fans alike.

The father, Paul Jackson, was by her side during the birth. While the couple eventually separated in 2016, they have remained dedicated co-parents to Henry. Jackson, a programming director, also has three older children from a previous relationship, whom Symons embraced as part of her extended family during their time together.

Life as a “Later-in-Life” Mum

Now 56, Symons often reflects on how Henry changed her perspective on life. After losing her own mother in 2010, the actress admitted she had struggled to find happiness again. “Henry has bought so much joy with him and he’s really taught me how to enjoy my life again,” she shared.

Despite the demands of a full-time filming schedule on Home and Away, Symons has mastered the balance of being a working mother. Her social media occasionally offers fans a glimpse of her life with Henry—now a thriving young boy—whether they are attending football matches or spending time with her long-time co-star and “TV father,” Ray Meagher (Alf Stewart).

Why the News is Resurfacing

The recent surge in articles mentioning “unexpected news at 51” is largely attributed to clickbait sites that recycle her 2015 pregnancy story with updated (and often inaccurate) ages to attract new readers. While there is no current “new” baby news, the enduring interest in Symons’ story highlights how much her journey resonates with others.

By speaking candidly about the “gruelling” nature of IVF and the joy of later-life motherhood, Emily Symons has become more than just a soap star; she is a beacon of perseverance for anyone told that their dreams are “impossible.”

As Marilyn Chambers continues to light up screens in Summer Bay, Emily Symons continues to embrace her favorite role of all: being Henry’s mum.