Katey Sagal reflects on welcoming daughter via surrogate at 52: ‘I had about five minutes left’

Katey Sagal is opening up about one of the biggest decisions of her personal life becoming a mother again in her early fifties. During a recent podcast appearance, the Married… with Children and Sons of Anarchy star reflected on welcoming her youngest daughter, Esmé, through surrogacy after her husband, Kurt Sutter, changed his mind about having children.

The actress also shared how motherhood has evolved over the years and why she still finds joy in balancing family life with a thriving Hollywood career.

Kurt Sutter initially didn’t want children

Speaking with Ted Danson on the Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast, Sagal explained that she and her husband, television creator Kurt Sutter, weren’t initially on the same page about starting a family.

Because Sutter is six years younger, Sagal joked that she didn’t have much time left to make the decision.

“When we met, he was like, ‘I don’t wanna have any kids,'” Sagal recalled. “And I was like, ‘Okay, because I have about five minutes left if you wanna have kids.'”

At the time, Sagal was already a mother to two children from her previous marriage.

The couple chose surrogacy after a change of heart

Several years into their relationship, Sutter’s perspective changed.

Sagal said the couple began seriously discussing expanding their family roughly five years after they met, eventually deciding that surrogacy was the best path forward.

“We did the whole surrogate process,” she explained.

Their daughter, Esmé, was born in 2007. During the interview, Sagal affectionately joked that the now-19-year-old is “my favorite right now,” before quickly adding, “Kids, I love you all.”

She is also proud of her two older children

Sagal also spoke warmly about her older children with her late ex-husband Jack Cameron White.

Her daughter, Sarah Grace White, has pursued a career in music, while her son, Jackson White, has become an actor known for projects including Hulu’s Tell Me Lies.

The actress praised Sarah’s songwriting and production work, while acknowledging how difficult today’s music industry can be for emerging artists.

Unlike previous generations, Sagal noted, many young musicians must now handle both the creative and business sides of their careers.

Learning when not to give advice

Having spent decades working in entertainment herself, Sagal admitted it’s sometimes difficult not to offer professional advice to her children.

She said she’s learned to ask permission before sharing her opinions.

“I have some thoughts about that. Would you like to hear it?” has become her approach.

If her children decline, she respects their decision, even when she believes she could help.

She admitted this was especially challenging while listening to early mixes of Sarah’s music because of her own background as a singer and songwriter.

Why she has no plans to slow down

Although she’s worked steadily in Hollywood for decades, Sagal said retirement doesn’t appeal to her.

Her children often ask why she continues taking acting jobs, but she explained that working is something she genuinely enjoys.

“I like to work,” she said. “That is chill for me.”

Rather than viewing acting as stressful, Sagal considers it a fulfilling part of her life and admitted she isn’t sure what she’d do without it.

Her family continues to support her career

Despite encouraging her to take more time off, Sagal said her children remain some of her biggest supporters.

She revealed they’re the first people she contacts whenever she lands a new role, adding that they’re always proud of her accomplishments.

For Sagal, balancing family and work has remained one of the most rewarding parts of her life, and her recent reflections highlight how both continue to shape her journey decades into her career.

Featured Image: instagram.com/kateysagal