On Tuesday, "Today Show" personality Hoda Kotb announced that she had become a new mother to an adopted baby girl named Haley Joy.

"She’s a Valentine’s baby so she’s a little nugget," the wine-loving host exclaimed during a phone call to her television family. "She is the love of my life!"

Hoda Kotb mother Haley Joy
photo: Today Show

Fans immediately took to social media to celebrate Kotb's joyful news.

Hoda Kotb becomes mom
photo: Twitter

But as publications began reporting on the adoption, the focus suddenly shifted from Kotb's excitement to her age.

Hoda Kotb
photo: Twitter

People started zeroing in on the fact that Kotb was becoming a mother for the first time at 52 years old.

Hoda Kotb new mom age
photo: Twitter

Some "concern trolls" tried to disguise their not-so-subtle ageist opinions...

Hoda Kotb age
photo: Twitter

...while others were outright rude.

Hoda Kotb age new mother
photo: Twitter

Yet when George Clooney announced earlier this month that he was becoming a first-time father (to twins!) at age 55, no one seemed to bat an eyelash.

George Clooney twins
photo: Twitter
George Clooney kids
photo: Twitter

If anything, many people felt the fact that Clooney is an "older dad" is something that should be praised.

George Clooney old dad
photo: Twitter
George Clooney dad
photo: Twitter

Kotb and Clooney are both first-time parents in their 50s — yet the new mom received more "concern" than the new dad. What gives?

Kotb and Clooney's situation proves that there is still more stigma attached to later-in-life motherhood than later-in-life fatherhood.

Clooney is actually older than Kotb (and will be responsible for two lives instead of one), but "older dads" aren't as looked down upon as "older moms." 

Much of this ageism stems from the fact that the mother is usually the one carrying the baby (except in cases of adoption, like Kotb's situation).

It's assumed that the healthiest pregnancies tend to happen when the woman is at the peak of her childbearing years, which is generally the twenties and early thirties (i.e., "young").

Then when the child is born, the mother is the presumed care-giver.

Both parents are "expected" to watch, raise, and care for the child through adulthood — but most of that responsibility falls on the mom (and if the father-figure is non-existent, the mother is also expected to pick up the dad's slack).

Hence, the supposed value of having a "younger mom" (aka, someone who is younger in age and can keep up with the demands of a child) versus an "older mom." 

But with advances in science and an increase in life expectancy — and the crazy notion that fathers should share parenting responsibilities — there is no reason for such intense stigma against later-in-life mothers.

Not to mention, the age that someone decides to become a parent is no one else's business. 

So congrats on your little bundle of joy, Hoda.

Hoda Kotb new mom at 52
photo: Splash News

A mother's love has no age limit.