Janet Jackson has given birth to her first child, a baby boy, at the age of 50, the singer’s publicist has confirmed.

According to a statement, Janet Jackson and her Qatari businessman husband, Wissam Al Mana, were “thrilled” to welcome the infant, Eissa Al Mana.

“Janet had a stress-free healthy delivery and is resting comfortably,” the publicist added.

Speculation about Janet Jackson’s pregnancy surfaced last April when she postponed her Unbreakable tour.

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The singer posted a video on Twitter at the time in which she told fans that she was postponing the tour because “there’s been a sudden change”.

Janet Jackson said she wanted to focus on planning a family with her husband, whom she wed in 2012.

She had earlier been spotted in London shopping for baby essentials.

Halle Berry had her second child at 47 and John Travolta’s wife Kelly Preston gave birth to her third child at 48.

Geena Davis became a mother later in life. Her first child, a girl, arrived when she was 46, followed two years later by twin boys.

However, these mothers – and Janet Jackson – are all positively young when compared to the world’s oldest new mothers.

There are at least three women in India who claimed to have given birth when at least two decades older than Janet Jackson.