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Actress Halle Berry sharply criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday, moments before he appeared at a high-profile event, accusing him of “devaluing” women by vetoing a bill related to menopause care that she had publicly supported.
Berry, 59, said Newsom’s decision made him unfit to serve as president. Newsom is widely viewed as a leading Democratic prospect for the 2028 presidential race and has said he is considering a bid, reports said last week.
“At this stage in my life, I have zero f–ks left to give,” Berry said, according to the Hollywood Reporter, before criticizing Newsom for vetoing legislation aimed at supporting women experiencing menopause.
“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,” Berry said during her appearance at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit.
“But that’s okay, because he’s not going to be governor forever, and the way he has overlooked women, half the population, by devaluing us, he probably should not be our next president either,” she added.
She encouraged the audience to join the effort for expanded midlife care.
“Just saying, I need every woman in this country to fight with me,” Berry said. “The truth is, the fight isn’t just for us women. We need men, too. We need all of the leaders, every single one of you in this room. This fight needs you.”
The bipartisan Menopause Care Equity Act would have required health insurers to provide comprehensive coverage for women experiencing menopause and perimenopause symptoms. The bill also directed the California Medical Board to establish a menopause-specific curriculum and mandated that physicians complete ongoing education on menopause-related care.
Berry has become an outspoken advocate for women experiencing menopause, a cause she embraced after learning in 2024 that she had been in perimenopause for a decade but had been mistakenly diagnosed with herpes.
Menopause typically begins for women between ages 45 and 55, when declining estrogen levels trigger the end of monthly menstrual cycles. Common symptoms include hot flashes, mood swings, headaches, insomnia and difficulty concentrating. Physical changes such as dry skin and thinning hair are also common as hormone levels shift, the Daily Mail noted.
Last year, Berry publicly stated that she was in menopause while appearing at the U.S. Capitol alongside a bipartisan group of senators to advocate for legislation that would dedicate $275 million to menopause research and education.
“The shame has to be taken out of menopause. We have to talk about this very normal part of our life that happens,” she said at the time. “Our doctors can’t even say the word to us, let alone walk us through the journey.”
Berry’s remarks at the Dealbook Summit came during a conversation about her work as an entrepreneur and advocate for women’s health. She described her mission to help future generations navigate midlife with dignity and knowledge.
“As a founder, I’m building for myself what I wish I had 10 years ago with the knowing that it’s going to help generations and generations to come,” she said.
She added that societal expectations around aging continue to affect women in public life.
“In 2025 there is a lot to still be talked about and discovered and uncovered, especially if you are a woman who is navigating midlife and thoughtfully considering your longevity, because in 2025 I, Halle Berry, and women of my age are simply devalued in this country,” Berry said.
“Our culture thinks that at 59 years old, I am past my prime, and that women my age start to become invisible in Hollywood, in the workplace, on social media.”
She continued, “Women are pressured to stay forever 35.”
