Cameron Diaz’s Children, Age, Net Worth & Why She Quit Acting

There’s a specific curiosity that tends to follow a celebrity who steps away at the peak of her earning power and then quietly becomes a mom later than most. Cameron Diaz did exactly that. This piece unpacks her biographical facts, her decision to leave Hollywood, and the two children she and Benji Madden have welcomed via surrogate — plus the numbers, ages, and sources that back it all up.

Full name: Cameron Michelle Diaz ·
Born: August 30, 1972 ·
Age (2025): 52 ·
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) ·
Net worth: $140 million ·
Children: 2 (Raddix, Cardinal)

The following table confirms how consistently Diaz’s core biographical details have been reported across authoritative sources.

Did Cameron Diaz have a baby at 51?

No — her first child arrived when she was 47, not 51. The confusion may stem from the fact that she had children relatively late and that some sources misreport ages.

Has Cameron Diaz had a third baby?

As of 2025, Diaz and Benji Madden have two children. The first, daughter Raddix Chloe Wildflower Madden, was born via surrogate in December 2019 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)). The second, son Cardinal Madden, was announced in 2022 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)). No official third child has been reported by credible sources.

Did Cameron Diaz give birth to her own baby?

Both children were carried by a gestational surrogate. Diaz has been open about using surrogacy, citing fertility decisions and timing (IMDb (film database)).

How can Cameron Diaz have a baby at 53?

The ability to have a child at 53 via surrogacy comes from using frozen eggs or embryos created earlier in life. Diaz has not disclosed the specific medical steps, but the biological feasibility depends on prior fertility preservation.

The pattern: late-in-life motherhood through surrogacy is medically possible for women who have banked eggs earlier. Diaz’s case is part of a growing trend among women in their late 40s and early 50s.

Why did Cameron Diaz quit acting?

Diaz announced she was stepping away from acting in 2018, after a career that spanned nearly 25 years and included box-office hits like There’s Something About Mary and the Shrek franchise (Britannica (encyclopedia)).

When did Cameron Diaz retire?

She confirmed her retirement during a 2018 conversation with Gwyneth Paltrow and later told People magazine in 2021 that she “just decided that I wanted to take a break from acting” (SportsWane (entertainment profile)).

What has Cameron Diaz done since retiring?

• Co-founded Avaline, a wine brand focused on natural ingredients.
• Wrote two books: The Body Book (2014) and The Longevity Book (2016).
• Focused on raising her children and managing her household.

The trade-off: Diaz swapped the grueling film schedule for building a consumer brand and spending time with her family. She has left the door ajar for a return — Netflix announced a 2025 project starring Diaz, suggesting she may be easing back. For a comparison with another star who successfully balanced family and career changes, see our profile on Emma Thompson: Biography, Children, Husband, Love Actually Roles.

What is the age gap between Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden?

Cameron Diaz is seven years older than Benji Madden. She was born on August 30, 1972; Madden was born on March 11, 1979 (German Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

How old is Benji Madden?

Benji Madden, the guitarist for the band Good Charlotte, turned 46 in 2025.

When did Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden marry?

The couple married on January 5, 2015 in a small ceremony at their Beverly Hills home (IMDb (film database)).

The implication: a seven-year age gap where the wife is older is less common in Hollywood, but for Diaz and Madden it has been remarkably stable — no public separations, low drama, two kids.

What condition does Cameron Diaz have?

Diaz has spoken publicly about suffering from severe environmental allergies, particularly to dust and mold. In interviews she described herself as “a mess” and said her immune system is compromised (ELLE France (fashion magazine)).

Does Cameron Diaz have a medical condition?

There is no official diagnosis of a chronic disease such as an autoimmune disorder. The allergies appear to be the primary health issue she references.

What allergies does Cameron Diaz have?

She has cited dust, mold, and other environmental allergens as triggers.

The catch: her self-described “compromised immune system” may be a contributing factor to her decision to use surrogacy, though she has never directly linked the two.

How old is Cameron Diaz?

Cameron Diaz turned 52 on August 30, 2024. As of 2025 she is 52 years old (Britannica (encyclopedia)).

What is Cameron Diaz‘s height?

She stands 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m), above average for both women and actresses.

What is Cameron Diaz’s net worth?

Estimates place her net worth at around $140 million, accumulated through film salaries, endorsements, and business ventures (ScreenRant (entertainment publication)).

What are Cameron Diaz’s most famous movies?

• The Mask (1994) — breakout role
• There‘s Something About Mary (1998)
• Charlie’s Angels (2000, 2003)
• Shrek series (2001–2010) — voice of Princess Fiona

What is Cameron Diaz doing now?

She is primarily focused on her family, her wine brand Avaline, and reportedly a new acting project for Netflix set for 2025.

Why this matters: Diaz‘s numbers — $140 million net worth, 25-year career, 52 years old — paint a picture of a woman who achieved professional dominance and then shifted priorities entirely. That’s rare in an industry that often demands constant visibility.

“I just decided that I wanted to take a break from acting.”

— Cameron Diaz, SportsWane (entertainment profile)

Diaz stated in a 2020 interview that she was very happy to become a mom at 47.

The story is more than a biography. For readers who wonder whether late motherhood or career breaks are viable, Diaz‘s choices show one path: prioritize your craft when you’re young, preserve your fertility options, and step away on your own terms. For the industry, it’s a reminder that a $140 million actress can walk away and build a second life — and that’s a decision worth respecting.

Related reading: Emma Thompson: Biography, Children, Husband, Love Actually Roles

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