10 Years After Birth of Octuplets Makes National News, See What They've Been Up To
Do you ever wonder what it’s like to be a cultural phenomenon — and then to not be? I’m sure it’s something that Natalie Suleman considers regularly.
You probably remember her as Octomom. According to the New York Post, Suleman became famous when she got pregnant with eight children all at once thanks to fertility treatments.
She also became a lightning rod for criticism since she was unemployed when she gave birth to her eight babies and already had six children. But now a decade has passed since their birth, and the Suleman family has become as normal as can be.
According to Inside Edition, the 15-person clan doesn’t exactly live in luxury: They call a three-bedroom house near Los Angeles home.
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“Yes, we are struggling,” Suleman admitted. “Yes, we are in financial hardship.”
However, something more amazing than cramming that many bodies into a small space seems to have happened: The kids appear to be living well-adjusted lives.
Critics weren’t sure that that would happen. In fact, the New York Times published an article in December 2018 titled “The Octomom Has Proved Us All Wrong: The happy household of a onetime tabloid curiosity.”
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There was reason to think that things might not have a happy ending for Suleman and her children. She splurged on cosmetic procedures that made her look like actress Angelina Jolie and claimed that she had no idea she was carrying such a large number of children.
She also dabbled in the adult film industry and landed in rehab. “I was selfish and immature,” Suleman said.
But she cleaned up her act and has said that she’s working full time as a counselor. And then there are her children, who adore her.
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“She’s been fighting for our family for 10 years now,” 16-year-old Amerah said. “No matter what, she’s never going to give up, and I know that.”
Most days start at sunrise as Suleman trundles the children to school in a giant van. She also makes sure that they get to do fun activities outside the home, although she usually takes them in shifts.
“They are incredibly supportive,” Suleman said. “I don’t know what I would do without them.
“As time passes, I don’t know what I would do with them. They are angels.”
Indeed, apart from the number of children, their activities seem essentially normal. They cook dinner, do laundry, finish homework, and look out for one another.
That seems to be exactly the way that Suleman wants it. “Now that 10 years has gone by, I feel like I can relax and be myself and be real,” she said.
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