Keira Knightley, the renowned actress known for her iconic roles in “Pride and Prejudice” and “Pirates of the Caribbean,” has made a candid admission about the impact of motherhood on her career. In a recent interview with The Times, Knightley revealed that choosing to have children meant she had to take a “major step back” in her career.

Knightley, 39, has two daughters, Edie, 9, and Delilah, 5, with her husband, musician James Righton. As a mother, she has had to prioritize her children’s needs over her career ambitions. “I couldn’t go job to job [abroad] now. It wouldn’t be in any way fair on them, and I wouldn’t want to,” Knightley explained. “I’ve chosen to have children, I want to bring them up, so I’ve had to take a major step back.”

The Challenges of Balancing Career and Motherhood

Knightley’s decision to step back from her career is a common dilemma faced by many working women. The pressure to balance career ambitions with family responsibilities can be overwhelming, and often, women are forced to make difficult choices. Knightley’s admission highlights the need for greater support and flexibility for working mothers.

In recent years, Knightley has been more selective about her roles, preferring projects that allow her to spend more time with her family. She has also turned down roles that are too emotionally taxing or require her to be away from home for extended periods. “I’ve been really surprised in the past few years about what I’ve said no to. I’ve wanted it to be more pure entertainment and maybe that’s because I’ve needed that,” she said.

A New Chapter in Her Career

While Knightley may have taken a step back from her career, she is not ready to retire just yet. She is open to exploring new opportunities, including producing or directing a film. However, she is clear that any new venture will have to wait until her daughters are older. “The world is an interesting place and there are other things in it I’d like to discover. I’m aware I’ve been doing the same thing for a very, very long time,” she said.

Knightley’s honesty about the challenges of balancing career and motherhood is a refreshing reminder that even the most successful women face difficult choices. Her decision to prioritize her family is a testament to her commitment to being a devoted mother, and her willingness to adapt her career to suit her new role is an inspiration to women everywhere.