Alicia Vikander, the renowned Swedish actress, has opened up about her experiences balancing motherhood with a demanding career in a heartfelt interview with British Vogue. The 36-year-old star, married to Irish actor Michael Fassbender, shared rare insights into co-parenting, life after becoming a mom, and their new family life in Lisbon.
Finding Balance Between Family and Career
The Oscar-winning actress, who shares two young sons with Fassbender, revealed how she and her husband manage their busy schedules to ensure that one parent is always present at home. “It can be very long days,” Alicia explained. “A lot of the time, you will leave before the kids get up and then maybe not be back before they sleep. With all the mum guilt you already carry, this is something I battle constantly.”
Despite the challenges, the couple prioritizes their children. “We make it a rule to never work at the same time,” she added, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong family support system for their sons.
Life in Lisbon
After relocating to Lisbon, the family has fully embraced the Portuguese lifestyle. Alicia revealed that her husband was drawn there by his passion for surfing. “My husband said he wanted to surf every day,” she shared. “We’re on the beach with the kids every weekend we are there.” Lisbon’s relaxed atmosphere and coastal beauty have become the ideal backdrop for balancing their lives.
Embracing Motherhood
Motherhood hasn’t always been an easy transition for Alicia, who admitted that she wasn’t naturally maternal before having children. “I wasn’t really very maternal until I had my own children,” she confessed. However, her perspective shifted after the arrival of her second son, saying, “Maybe even more after the second one arrived, I started to feel like: ‘Okay, I know this a little bit now.’ I’m a bit kinder to myself, too.”
Alicia also spoke about how prior roles portraying childbirth on-screen felt disingenuous to her before she experienced it firsthand. Reflecting on the physical demands of motherhood, she recalled training during and after pregnancy. “It’s so physically demanding, and I have so much admiration for any woman who has done it,” she emphasized, likening the process to preparing for a marathon.
A Transformative Career
Looking ahead, Alicia is preparing to star in the West End play The Lady from the Sea, alongside Andrew Lincoln, at the Bridge Theatre from September 10 to November 8, 2025. She described how her priorities have evolved with age, now focusing on meaningful collaborations and creative projects. “I narrow it down to two things now – the people I really want to work with and the projects that I feel are going to be a creative, joyous time,” she explained. “I am privileged that I have the choice.”
From On-Screen Roles to Real-Life Challenges
Reflecting on her journey to motherhood, Alicia opened up about the pain of a previous miscarriage before having her first child. The emotional experience brought depth to her perspective on her 2016 film The Light Between Oceans, in which she portrayed a woman who endures multiple miscarriages. “The miscarriage was so extreme, painful to go through,” she said, adding that her experiences have informed her performances and personal growth.
For mothers seeking a moment of self-care, Alicia’s deeply personal insights offer both comfort and relatability. Any parent navigating the challenges of balancing work and family can take inspiration from her honest account of prioritizing what matters most.
Recommendations for Moms
If you’re a busy mom like Alicia, consider investing in some self-care routines to prioritize your wellness. One product that stands out is the Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream. Designed to nourish and hydrate your skin deeply, it’s perfect for long days that require a quick boost of comfort and care.
You can read Alicia’s full feature in the September issue of British Vogue, available for digital download and on newsstands starting August 19, 2025.