 (1).png)
17 hours ago
2
How Octomom Nadya Suleman & Her 14 Kids Are Taking Their Lives Back
Octomom is peeling back the curtain on her children’s paternity.
Natalie "Nadya" Suleman—who earned the “Octomom” moniker after giving birth to the first surviving set of octuplets in 2009—is confirming details about the paternity of her children, including her six older children, for the first time.
Firstly, no, she did not have any children with her ex-husband Marcos Gutierrez, to whom she was married between 2000 and 2006.
"I got married only to appease my Middle Eastern family," Suleman explained in her new docuseries Confessions of Octomom, per Today. "We never consummated the marriage. That was not a real marriage. It's not even worth speaking about."
But while Suleman did not want to have children with Gutierrez, she was determined to become a mother. Her ex-boyfriend Denis Beaudoin became her first sperm donor, however after 10 failed rounds of intrauterine insemination (IUI) and a breakup, Suleman turned her sights elsewhere.
"At that point in time,” she said on the series, “I took that as a sign that maybe he wasn't the right one.”
Suleman then approached a friend—one she described as “highly intelligent, tall, good looking, athletic” and “very mature”—if he would consider the possibility.
"I asked him, 'Hypothetically speaking, if a friend of yours asked you to help them if they wanted to have a child ... would you consider helping and donating to a friend?'” she recalled. “He was stunned. And then he agreed to do it."
The 49-year-old went on to detail how the man—whose identity she never reveals—ultimately donated sperm for her six eldest children: Elijah, 23, Amerah, 22, Joshua, 21, and Aidan, 19, and 18-year-old twins Caleb and Calyssa.
Instagram / Natalie Suleman
While Suleman said he donated easily for her first four pregnancies, she “to really beg him to do it again” for her fifth pregnancy, which resulted in her twins. It was after this pregnancy she claims the donor refused to contribute further.
“I was determined—I was vehemently determined—to have a seventh,” she explained. “One more. And I would do it no matter what.”
Suleman ultimately purchased one vial of sperm from a bank in California that resulted in her octuplet pregnancy, after which she gave birth to now 16-year-olds Noah, Maliyah, Isaiah, Nariyah, Makai, Josiah, Jeremiah and Jonah.
While the octuplets were conceived by an anonymous donor—meaning they could not find out their father’s identity, even if they wanted to—Suleman’s oldest children know their father’s identity.
Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images
After her oldest daughter Amerah discovered her father on Facebook at age 12, Suleman said she could contact him when she turned 18.
"But after then, I never felt the need to," the now 22-year-old explained in the series. "He's a stranger. I understood why he didn't feel the need to be in our lives after the eight came, and that's it."
And on knowing the identity of her father, octuplet member Maliyah said, “I believe I've never needed another parent figure in my life because Mom is more than enough for that.”
For more on the family of 14’s life, keep reading.
Instagram / Natalie Suleman
Making Memories
Natalie "Nadya" Suleman celebrated her first grandchild turning six months old with some sweet photos.
"I can’t believe our little angel is already 6 months old!" she wrote on Instagram in March 2025 alongside pictures of the little one, who is the daughter of her son Joshua. "You have been one of the greatest blessings in all of our lives. Your beautiful, sweet smile fills my heart immeasurably. I love you more than words could express. We are all so grateful to watch you grow and thrive every single day!"
Borrowing the words from the children's book Love You Forever, Natalie added, "I’ll love you forever. I’ll like you for always As long as I’m living My grand-baby you’ll be."
Instagram / Natalie Suleman
Happy Thanksgiving
Natalie thanked her children Noah, Nariyah, Jonah, and Isaiah for their "hard work and dedication in the kitchen" for Thanksgiving 2024.
"Your healthy plant based, whole food, nutrient dense creations are compassionate and delicious!" she wrote on Instagram at the time. "We are all grateful and blessed."
Instagram / Natalie Suleman
Halloween Fun
The mom of 14 marked Halloween 2024 by sharing a throwback photo of her and some of her kids dressed up in their costumes in 2015.
Instagram / Natalie Suleman
Becoming a Grandma
In September 2024, Natalie announced that she'd become a grandma.
"Thank you God for blessing my son Joshua and lovely daughter in law with this beautiful gift!" she wrote on Instagram. "We are so grateful she is a new addition to our family! Baby girl you are so very loved and
we can’t wait to watch you grow!! 8/30/24."
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Surrounded by Love
While her kids smiled for the camera, Mom snuck in a wish on her 49th birthday in July 2024.
"Thank you kids for making my birthday yesterday so special!" she wrote on Instagram. "I love you all."
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Compliments to the Chefs
Jonah, Nariyah, Noah and Jeremiah were in charge of the family's vegan feast on Native American Heritage Day in 2023.
"Happy belated Thanksgiving and Happy Native American Heritage Day!" Natalie wrote on Instagram in November 2023. "Thank you to the head chefs Jonah, Nariyah, Noah, and Jeremiah, who worked relentlessly cooking delicious meals for the family. You are loved and appreciated, and deserved those two overflowing plates of your creations! Hope all our kind supporters had a safe and blessed special time with loved ones!"
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Girls Night Out
Mom took Amerah and Calyssa out for ramen (vegan, of course) in August 2023.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Birthday Bliss
In lieu of 48 candles, the kids brought balloons for their mom's birthday in July 2023.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Young Queen
Natalie's eldest daughter Amerah celebrated her 21st birthday in July 2023.
Instagram / Natalie Suleman
Dynamic Duo
The two enjoyed a mother daughter movie night in July 2023.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
We've Got Each Other
Natalie marked twins Caleb and Calyssa's sweet 16 with this adorable throwback pic.
"Happy sweet 16th birthday to my, (couldn’t be more polar opposite), twins Caleb and Calyssa!" she wrote on Instagram in October 2022. "Calyssa, you have grown into a kind, loving, compassionate (towards all living things), intelligent, beautiful young lady. Words cannot describe how proud I am to call you my daughter. You are a talented writer and artist, and will achieve any goal you set for yourself, as long as you never give up. I admire your mental strength, determination, and perseverance, and am blessed to be your mom. Caleb, you have grown into a loving, caring, highly intelligent, comedic, quick witted, perceptive, and devoted young man. I am blessed to have you as a son. May God continue to bless you both abundantly. I love you."
Instagram / Natalie Suleman
First Day of School
In August 2022, Natalie celebrated her octuplets starting eighth grade.
"Be proud of yourselves kids for being kind, respectful, and helpful to all your fellow peers, teachers and staff," she wrote on Instagram alongside their first day of school photo. "You are exceptional role models to the 6th and 7th graders. I love you."
And to any "critics" wondering about why her older kids weren't in the snap, Natalie made it clear "their older siblings did not want me to post a picture on their first day. I respect their choice, so should you."
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Beloved Cats
The family loves their fur babies too.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Look What I Made
Showing off a cat and crafts on the couch.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Twinning!
Maliyah and Nariyah were a coordinated sister act.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Fur Baby Bonding
The Sulemans are a cat family, so Maliyah took the opportunity to do some dog-sitting.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Man of the House
Natalie snuck a rare recent pic of eldest son Elijah onto her feed in honor of his 21st birthday in 2022.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Every Day is Mother's Day
Mother's Day is never lonely for Natalie, here celebrating with her octuplets and their big sister Amerah in 2022.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
12th Birthday
"Happy 12th birthday to 8 of the most kind, caring, and respectful kids I have ever known," Natalie wrote to her octuplets on Instagram in January 2021. "Your compassion for all living things and the value of humbly serving others is the definition of love. You make my heart full, and have blessed our lives abundantly. I am honored to be your mother."
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Brotherly Love
Noah and Jonah got ready to dig in.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
14 and Counting
The Suleman octuplets enjoyed baked goods on their 14th birthday.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Throwback Photos
Joshua, sporting the temporary face tat, and big brother Eli were about to take flight in this throwback pic their mom shared.
Instagram / Natalie Suleman
Loving Siblings
In this throwback photo, Natalie reflected on how "Makai has always been Aidan’s guardian angel, looking out for him from day one."
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Santa's Helpers
Getting eight children to line up and smile for a pic sounds like a Christmas miracle to us.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
English (US) ·