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Nadya Suleman became a media sensation in 2009 when she made headlines by giving birth to the world’s first surviving set of octuplets.

Already a mother of six—Amerah, Calyssa, Elijah, Caleb, Joshua, and Aidan—Suleman’s family grew to 14 with the arrival of her octuplets: Noah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Jonah, Josiah, Makai, Maliyah, and Nariyah.

Despite facing public scrutiny and a turbulent relationship with her fertility doctor, Suleman’s life has transformed for the better. On Sunday, September 22, she shared a special family milestone, announcing the birth of her granddaughter. Suleman posted a sweet photo on Instagram showing the baby’s tiny foot wrapped in a pink blanket. While she didn’t reveal which of her sons welcomed the new addition, she wrote, “Thank you to my son and lovely daughter-in-law for giving us this beautiful gift! We are blessed to have her as a new part of our family. Baby girl, you are so loved, and we can’t wait to watch you grow!! 8/30/24 🙏🏽❤️.”

Explore the inspiring journey of the ‘Octomom’ who is now celebrating life as a grandmother.

Who Is Nadya Suleman?

Born on July 11, 1975, in Fullerton, California, Nadya Suleman rose to global fame as the first woman to give birth to surviving octuplets.

Before the octuplets, Suleman was already a single mother of six. On January 26, 2009, she gave birth to her eight children, instantly becoming a fixture in tabloids and on TV. However, in a candid 2018 interview with The New York Times, she revealed that the “Octomom” persona didn’t reflect her true identity. “I was acting as a caricature, something I’m not,” she admitted. “I did it out of desperation to provide for my family. I’ve been hiding from the real world for most of my life.”

She added, “I was spiraling into a dark place. The ‘Octomom’ persona offered no healthy opportunities. I was following scripts, doing what I was told. Pretending to be someone else eventually leads to failure.”

 

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Now, Suleman lives a quieter life in a modest three-bedroom townhouse in Orange County, California, with her children and their two cats, Penelope and Mimi. In 2021, she announced she was working on a memoir, though no publication date has been confirmed.

“I started writing this book over 15 years ago during graduate school,” she shared on Instagram. “What began as research on factors influencing autism turned into a memoir, and it’s now 20 chapters long.”

Father of Nadya Suleman’s Children?

The father of Suleman’s 14 children is an anonymous sperm donor whose identity remains private. In her 2018 interview with The New York Times, Suleman disclosed that her children haven’t met him yet, adding, “Maybe when they turn 18, they’ll meet him. I don’t know.”

How Did Nadya Suleman Have Octuplets?

Suleman claims she was unknowingly implanted with octuplets, while her fertility doctor, Dr. Michael Kamrava, insists she requested the procedure. In 2008, Kamrava, who had previously helped Suleman conceive her first six children via in-vitro fertilization, implanted 12 embryos during a single procedure.

Eight of those embryos resulted in live births. When Suleman went into labor at 31 weeks, a team of 46 doctors and nurses performed a C-section. Although the babies were underweight (the smallest weighing just 1 lb., 8 oz.), all eight survived.

Originally, Suleman had only wanted twins. She later accused Kamrava of misleading her, alleging that while she was under the influence of medication, he told her the first six embryos had been lost, and another six needed to be implanted. Kamrava’s colleague denied these claims, stating he simply followed her wishes.

In 2011, Kamrava’s medical license was revoked after being found guilty of “gross negligence” in Suleman’s case and two others.

How Old Are Nadya Suleman’s Octuplets?

On January 26, 2024, Suleman’s octuplets celebrated their 15th birthday.

Suleman shared her pride on Instagram, writing, “Happy 15th birthday, Noah, Maliyah, Isaiah, Nariyah, Jeremiah, Jonah, Josiah, and Makai! I am so proud of the young adults you’re becoming. Stay true to yourselves—humble, kind, and honest. I love you all so much ❤️.”

How Old Are Nadya Suleman’s Other Children?

Elijah: 23 (born May 20, 2001) – her eldest son
Amerah: 22 (born July 1, 2002) – her eldest daughter
Joshua: 20 (born in 2003) – her second son
Aidan: 19 (born in 2005) – her fourth child
Calyssa: 18 (born in 2006) – her fifth child, twin sister to Caleb
Caleb: 18 (born in 2006) – her fraternal twin son
From raising 14 children to now being a grandmother, Nadya Suleman’s extraordinary journey continues to evolve. She remains dedicated to her family, embracing her unique story with love, resilience, and strength.