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Maria Menounos, husband Keven Undergaro welcome 1st child via surrogate

After weathering battles with a brain tumor and pancreatic cancer and struggles with fertility, Maria Menounos is a mom.

The entertainment journalist told Us Weekly that her daughter, Athena, whom she shares with husband Keven Undergaro, was born on June 23 via a surrogate, calling it "the most special moment of my life."

MORE: Maria Menounos expecting 1st child via surrogate, says late mother 'made it happen on the other side'

She added, "I sat with her on my chest, and Keven and I kept looking at each other like, 'Oh, my God.' It was just pure joy."

"For so long, I've felt something's been missing," Menounos continued. "And now I feel so grounded, like I finally know where I belong."

PHOTO: Maria Menounos and her husband Keven Undergaro arrive for the premiere of 'Bloodshot' Mar. 10, 2020, in Los Angeles. (Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images)
PHOTO: Maria Menounos and her husband Keven Undergaro arrive for the premiere of 'Bloodshot' Mar. 10, 2020, in Los Angeles. (Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images)

Menounos revealed on "Live with Kelly and Ryan" in February that she and Undergaro were expecting a baby and that she had leaned on fellow moms like Zoe Saldaña and Kim Kardashian during the process.

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She called Saldaña and Kardashian "so helpful to me in this journey and they both gave me all their advice and people."

MORE: Maria Menounos shares cancer scars in new bikini selfie

Menounos also called her surrogate and her family "literal angels."

Menounous was diagnosed with a pancreatic tumor in January and she underwent successful surgery to remove it, sharing a photo of her scars earlier this month.

"The fibroid was the size of a baby," she told Us Weekly in a health update. "I have a C-section scar, basically, even though I never had a baby -- I gave birth in a different way!"

Maria Menounos, husband Keven Undergaro welcome 1st child via surrogate originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com