Longtime fans of The Bold and the Beautiful were recently met with a heartwarming surprise — Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, the iconic actress behind Steffy Forrester, is expecting her fifth child. But this time, it’s not just another joyful baby announcement. What makes this moment especially emotional for fans is that the Emmy-winning star is finally welcoming her first daughter after four sons. The baby news, while joyful, also marks an upcoming pause in Steffy’s presence on-screen — a move that’s stirring both celebration and concern among viewers.

Since stepping into the role of Steffy over a decade ago, Wood has become one of the soap’s central pillars. Her performance has brought emotional gravitas to countless plotlines — from high-stakes boardroom drama to gut-wrenching betrayals and passionate love affairs. But as real life takes center stage, Wood is preparing for a temporary departure from the show to embrace a new chapter in her personal life: motherhood to a baby girl.

Jacqueline and her husband, Elon Ruspoli, have been building a lively household since marrying in 2018. They are already parents to four boys — Rise Harlan, Lennox, Brando Elon, and Valor James — each of whom has added joy, energy, and character to their growing family. Wood has always shared her love of motherhood with fans, often posting snippets of her children’s playful lives on social media. From backyard antics to coordinated family outfits, her fans have enjoyed seeing her thrive both at home and on-screen.

The buzz around this pregnancy began with quiet excitement, but speculation quickly built over whether the couple was finally expecting a girl. Now, reports are confirming that Jacqueline’s fifth child is indeed a daughter — the long-awaited first girl in their dynamic family. Though Jacqueline and Elon haven’t formally confirmed the baby’s gender themselves, multiple outlets and insiders have backed the news, prompting an outpouring of congratulations across social media.

For B&B fans, however, the news is bittersweet. Steffy Forrester is currently enmeshed in crucial storylines, including Liam’s worsening health issues and Luna’s scheming manipulations. Her strong presence is vital to the tension unfolding on screen, and with Wood’s maternity leave looming, viewers are already speculating on how the show will explain her absence.

Will Steffy leave town for a personal journey, perhaps to reconnect with family abroad or care for her children off-screen? Or could the writers deliver a shocking twist — a kidnapping, a secret business deal, or even a medical emergency — to explain her departure? One thing’s for sure: the writers will have to craft a compelling reason for her vanishing from the drama-laced landscape of Forrester Creations.

Wood’s pregnancy may mean her physical absence, but her impact on the show and its fans remains unwavering. Viewers have long admired her not only for her compelling performance but for the grace with which she balances work, family life, and fame. Now, as she readies to welcome her daughter, that admiration has only grown.

This new chapter — the birth of her fifth child and first daughter — represents more than just a family milestone. It reflects the evolving reality of a modern woman who embraces both career and motherhood without compromise. Fans are eagerly counting the days until Steffy returns, and in the meantime, they’re celebrating the real-life joy of the woman behind the character.