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How Octomom Nadya Suleman & Her 14 Kids Are Taking Their Lives Back
When Natalie "Nadya" Suleman welcomed the world's first set of surviving octuplets in 2009, she also gave birth to an entirely new persona.
"Octomom was conceived by the media," Suleman detailed in an exclusive interview with E! News, calling the public perception of her following the Jan. 16 arrival of her kids Noah, Maliyah, Isaiah, Nariyah, Makai, Josiah, Jeremiah and Jonah "this caricature" that was "the polar opposite of my true character."
At the time, alleged the Fullterton, Calif. native—also mom to Elijah, 23, Amerah, 22, Joshua, 21, and Aidan, 19, and 18-year-old twins Caleb and Calyssa—the country was in the middle of a recession, leaving the public "subconsciously seeking out a societal scapegoat."
A single mom with 14 kids, on disability from her job as a psychiatric technician, she fit the bill.
These days, said Suleman, "I don't believe I would have been the target of such misplaced hate." But in the late aughts, she was leveled with endless insults, intense scrutiny, even death threats as she went into fighter mode, doing everything and anything (including agreeing to paid photo shoots, interviews and even an adult film) to survive.
And yet, she'd do it all again the exact same way. Mostly.
The 49-year-old called her decision not to file a lawsuit against Dr. Michael Kamrava, the man who helped her conceive all 14 of her children through in vitro fertilization, "most likely the only regret I have."
"I went back to have one more," Suleman explained to E! News. "Based on my past reproductive history, he's always transferred in five to six embryos." And other than her twins, each round resulted in what she called "singletons."
Courtesy of Lifetime
As they had discussed, Kamrava implanted the six embroyos (far beyond the standard recommendation of two) and "my uterus started to heavily contract," Suleman recounted, "and according to the doctor, they all were expelled." Though she was "heavily sedated," the mom of 14 continued, "He asked me if he could transfer in the other six that were in the petri dish."
Not entirely lucid, she signed his contract without reading a word "and the rest is history," said Suleman. "It was like the whole the trajectory of my life changed considerably."
And if she could go back, she'd definitely try to propel herself onto a new path.
Feeling "under attack and interrogated" and entirely unprepared from the sudden spotlight she was thrust into, said Suleman, she did little to defend herself. (Kamrava, meanwhile, was eventually stripped of his medical license.)
"I wish I had secured some type of legal help from the beginning," she admitted. "I would have found some legal help, an attorney to help protect me as a mother."
And perhaps secure a financial windfall that would help support her outsized brood.
Instead, "I was on autopilot, just moving, moving, moving," Suleman recounted. "And I was also living in a state of palpable anxiety and fear, all the death threats and then the stalkers."
For years, "I was in a state of fight or flight," said Suleman, "and I'm a fighter. So, I kept fighting. I will never stop fighting for my family."
She didn't shy away from detailing the hardships in her six-part Lifetime docuseries Confessions of Octomom (Mondays, 10 p.m.).
"There's too many moments of adversity and the trials and tribulations to even discuss," she said when asked to name the lowest point. Digging deep during the filming process, said Suleman, who also served as an executive producer on the network's based-on-real-events film I Was Octomom: The Natalie Suleman Story, "I was strongly encouraged to sit in it. I didn't want to. It's painful."
But the outcome was worth it. "That’s the time when we actually start to heal," she reasoned, "when we sit in the pain and we sit in the suffering and we process those feelings."
Courtesy of Lifetime
She's encouraged her brood to follow suit.
"They have experienced trauma from what I experienced," Suleman shared of her kids, stressing that her "being that target of global scorn and condemnation" was something that "trickled down to my kids."
She credits her focus on open, honest communication with helping to provide some healing, but she feels their participation in the docuseries might be the real antidote.
"They wanted that voice," the former therapist said of her kids. "They wanted that platform to stick up for all of us, to set boundaries and to be able to share and take our narrative back."
Her now-adult children "deserve to tell their true story and share their experiences and their perspective," Suleman continued, which is why they were willing to step in front of the camera.
"People do continue to ask, ‘Why now? You want fame,'" she said of the reaction she's received from her Lifetime projects. "No, I don't want fame, but why should I allow things that are lies out there to remain and for the public to believe that. We deserve to share our true story. The public deserves to know the truth."
Instagram / Natalie Suleman
With her youngest just celebrating their sweet sixteen, "This is the perfect time," Suleman reasoned. "It's a new season of our lives. My kids are older, and they're more than ready to share their, our true story."
Because once upon a time, a single mom of 14 was just trying to make it work. Keep reading to see how Suleman's tale began.
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.
English (US) ·