NEW YORK — Halle Berry delivered a blunt, personal speech at The New York Times Dealbook Summit on Wednesday, urging greater attention to women’s health and criticizing how women are viewed in Hollywood and corporate America. Berry, an actress, filmmaker and founder of the menopause care company Respin, also voiced frustration with California Governor Gavin Newsom for vetoing a menopause bill she supported.
“At this stage in my life, I have zero fucks left to give,” Berry told the audience. Her comments about Newsom prompted gasps after she described her efforts to lobby for legislation promoting menopause research and education. “Back in my great state of California, my very own governor, Gavin Newsom, has vetoed our menopause bill, not one, but two years in a row,” she said. “He’s not going to be governor forever… he probably should not be our next president either.”
Berry’s remarks came hours before Newsom’s scheduled appearance at the same event.
Her speech drew from childhood experiences, her career, and her work as an activist. Berry said her current efforts stem from what she wished she had access to a decade ago. She described midlife as a period still burdened by stigma and limited understanding. “Women of my age are simply devalued in this country,” she said, adding that women face pressure to appear younger and often feel “invisible” in entertainment and the workplace.
Berry recounted being beaten by other children while growing up in Cleveland, recalling it as a formative moment. “I’m never going to allow this to happen to me again,” she said, adding that the experience shaped her resolve to stand up for herself throughout her life.
