Latest news with #Octomom
The Sun
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I knew despised Octomum who had 14 kids on benefits before turning to porn… one confession over the births shocked me
WHEN single mum Nadya Suleman giving birth to octuplets, in 2009, it made headlines across the world. But 'Octomom' Nadya went from miracle-maker to villain when it was revealed that she already had six children, lived on benefits and had had IVF to conceive her multiple pregnancies. 17 17 17 Her life turned into a circus freak show as she was vilified for her actions and even received death threats. Critics claimed she was an unfit mother, breeding 'a litter' of children to live off the state and some even called for her offspring to be adopted. And she faced further backlash when it emerged she had turned to porn to make ends meet and had become addicted to prescription drugs. Now 16 years on, a new documentary charts what happened to Octomom and her brood of 14. TV physician Dr Drew Pinsky - himself a father of triplets - visited Nadya's home on several occasions and says his mind was blown by how she coped. Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Dr Drew says: 'How good can you be when you have all of these kids? How do you create a firm attachment? "There is so much there. To the extent that the circumstances were out of the ordinary, she did an extraordinary job. I was always on Team Nadya. "I thought it was extraordinary what she was doing.' Nadya Suleman's octuplets were born by caesarean section at 31 weeks in LA - and miraculously were all healthy. News stations from across the world descended on the hospital, desperately trying to find out anything about the mum who wanted to stay anonymous. Octomom Nadya Suleman who turned to porn to make ends meet reveals she's turned her life around for her 14 kids TV reporter Dave Lopes from Channel 2 news popped into a cafe where a woman told him that Octomom already had six children at home. Dave recalls: 'Holy Moses, I almost spat out my coffee, do you mean to tell me that this woman now has 14 kids? "Once it was confirmed that she had six more at home, everybody was going 'wait a minute…..what is going on here?' It wasn't long before journalists tracked down 33-year-old unemployed single mum Nadya, who was receiving disability allowances and l ived with her parents in a cramped three bedroom house. 'Are we paying?' LA-based British entertainment journalist Caroline Feraday recalls: 'The public suddenly thought, 'hang on a minute, are we paying for this?'' Nadya soon became a target of ridicule and hate, but came out fighting for her reputation. Just ten days after giving birth she gave an interview to NBC where journalist Ann Curry quizzed her on allegations that she was irresponsible and selfish to bring the children into the world without a clear source of income and sufficient support to raise them. But Nadya claimed she was finishing her education to provide for the kids and loved her children unconditionally. Meanwhile other questions were being asked about where Nadya received fertility treatment that allowed her to conceive eight babies at once. All her life, only child Nadya had dreamed of being a mum. She suffered from endometriosis but in 1997, she met fertility specialist Dr Michael Kamrava who would help her become pregnant through IVF. 17 17 17 Her first child Elijah was born in 2001. She went back for treatment every year for the next five years giving birth to Amerah in 2002, Joshua in 2003, Aidan in 2005, followed by twins Calysah and Caleb in 2006. By 2008, Nadya had six children but returned to Dr Kamrava for more IVF treatment. The doctor told her she had frozen eggs left. She did not want them destroyed. In an unprecedented and reckless move, Dr Kamrava implanted 12 embryos into Nadya. Crisis manager Wendy Feldman says: 'The doctor who did that for his own experiment. That's a monster. You have to look at her as the victim of first the doctor, and then public opinion.' The doctor later claimed that he implanted the 12 embryos at Nadya's request, whereas she claimed she was unaware what was going on and was so sedated that she could not consent. Dr Drew Pinsky said he was stunned by the revelation. He told The Sun: 'I always thought - like the rest of the world - that the eight embryos was her idea. But she insisted that it was not, she was hoodwinked into that. "She was unhappy with it, but she was not going to reduce. She was going to accept her lot and raise these kids. It is overwhelming when I think about it.' But whether there was consent or not, the treatment raised huge ethical questions as there were too many embryos for the pregnancy to be considered safe. Nadya's fertility expert, Dr Michael Kamrava, had his licence revoked in 2011 for negligence in relation to Nadya and two other patients. And, in March, Nadya revealed her biggest regret was not suing him because she could have been awarded "millions" which "would have helped my family". But she added: 'I definitely regret that because his insurance would've been the one paying, and it would've been some millions, and it would've been helpful for my family. 'I regret that I kind of threw myself under the bus to cover for him, and I shouldn't have, but I was grateful. "I wouldn't have had any of my kids if it weren't for his innovative technique. No one else in the world did this type of procedure, so I didn't have it in my heart to sue him.' TV fame As Nadya prepared to bring her eight babies home, one burning question still remained unanswered - who is the daddy? Nadya claimed that one man was the father of all 14 children - but was not in their lives. 17 17 17 And when an emergency call made by Nadya a year previously, saying her son had gone missing, was released to the press, more and more people questioned her ability to look after her 14 kids. Despite having never met Nadya, celebrity psychiatrist Carole Lieberman wrote to Child Protective Services claiming Nadya was not stable enough psychologically to be a mother to six children, never mind 14. But Nadya's dad was firmly in her corner and vowed to help her stop anyone taking the children away. With his help she bought a four bed house for her and her 14 children. Such was the interest, when the babies were finally released from hospital, several weeks after their birth, Nadya needed a police escort to get them home. But she also needed cash. Companies weren't flocking to give Nadya and her children brand deals or freebies because she was notorious and disliked. So she agreed to give celebrity website Radar Online exclusive access to her home and her children. 17 17 17 Slammed by nannies Charity Angels in Waiting, which provides free nannies and childcare, offered her their support. But that didn't last as Nadya sacked the nannies, claiming they were spying on her. The fired nannies hit back, claiming she was an unfit mother, the house was chaotic, with no bedtime routine, no homework routine, and that Nadya would rather go shopping than spend time with her children. Dr Drew Pinsky and his TV show also made an incredible offer of help to Nadya - free childcare for a year and other services. But she declined. He believes that the backlash against Nadya and accusations that she had 14 children to sponge off the state made her determined not to accept any free help, but earn her own cash, however bizarre the means. Dr Drew explains: 'I had triplets so I was sympathetic to this, the idea of eight kids when I was a multiple parent, is just so overwhelming. "I know what multiples do to the mum in particular, in terms of how much they pull upon them, how much they need them, so I didn't understand how it was possible by herself. 'When I went over there, it was mind-boggling how she could deal with this and it didn't feel safe. It didn't make sense to me how this could be done safely. "And she kind of managed to do it. I was kind of frustrated with her and her unwillingness to take the services we were trying to set up for her. 17 17 "I still don't understand that, other than kind of a wilfulness and a pride that she wouldn't take anything from anybody, and yet she ended up making some dumb choices to try to get money. 'I think more than anything, she was concerned about how she was perceived by the world, but not as much as wanting to be a good mum. "That was her life. She was afraid that somebody would say that the system made it possible for her to survive, she didn't want to be seen as somebody taking from the system. "We were offering her free stuff, not from the system, but from a television show. But she wouldn't take it.' Determined Nadya decided to go it alone, with help from her parents and the church, and the cameras of Radar Online following her every move. Nothing was off limits and it created a backlash. Desperate means But things were soon to spiral out of control. In November 2011 the deal with Radar Online came to an end - and Nadya was heavily in debt and about to lose her home. She revealed her monthly outgoings were $10,000 and she was relying on food stamps and welfare to feed her 14 kids. Nadya was doing everything she could to make money - she had a garage sale, she sold pictures of herself for $10 a pop, she promoted beer, and even tried to become a celebrity boxer. She became increasingly desperate and eventually turned to porn - causing even more hate towards her. It worked and Nadya regained financial security - but she ended up in rehab for exhaustion and prescription drug abuse. Dr Drew says: 'The porn thing for me, I'm sure that was her rock bottom. I'm sure she didn't feel good about that, I am sure that was a bad choice. "I have seen people get manipulated into these things with the promise of money and freedom, and so they do it. Not a great choice.' Nadya disappeared from the public eye and concentrated on raising her children. But she came back into the public eye in March this year for a six part documentary - Confessions of Octomom. The 16-year-old octuplets could finally speak for themselves - and were full of praise for their mum. And Dr Drew is not surprised. 'But for the grace of God,' he says. 'It is not inconsistent with what I saw. I saw kids that were well cared for, well fed, the structure was extraordinary. "It was necessary for safety and survival - eat at a certain time, move at a certain time, sleep at a certain time, change diapers at a certain time. "The real concern I had, and I still have, is how do you get that secure attachment going with so many kids, and you are on your own? "There is a grandad who is in and out, but no real main male figure. With all those peripheral concerns, the outcome speaks for itself. And the kids all speak highly of Nadya. It worked.' Dr Drew is hoping to reconnect with Nadya one day, and says she proved the haters wrong. 17 17 17 'I would hug her,' he says. 'I would congratulate her for having survived this with everyone in one piece. I would like to know if she sees things differently than back then. "And I would also ask why did she do some of the stuff she did. And she would have an explanation. She was trying to survive, I get it. "And she was making decisions in an altered state - she was in survival mode for everyone. 'She is not how she has been portrayed. "She is a distinctly good person who was in some extraordinary circumstances, allegedly not of her own making, and I will take her at her own word. She is not a liar.'
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Octomom turns 50! Star reveals what she is most 'grateful for' after becoming famous for having 14 kids
Octomom has turned 50-years-old. Nadya Suleman - who has 14 children - marked the milestone on Instagram on Sunday. The reality TV star's note was sweet with a nod to her little ones. 'Couldn't imagine spending my birthday anywhere but home, surrounded by loved ones,' wrote the brunette star who used to be compared to Angelina Jolie, who also just turned 50 this summer. 'Thank you kids for making this day so special; and to my eldest (who are not in the photo per usual), thank you for the unique gifts, though I'm most grateful for your quality time and love. 'These moments I spend with you all each day make me so happy and blessed to be your mom. I love you ❤️.' The tabloid fixture gained international fame in January 2009. This was due to the highly publicized birth of the world's first surviving octuplets (eight babies born at once) conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF). The circumstances surrounding the octuplets' birth sparked controversy and debate regarding the ethics of assisted reproductive technology. The Fullerton, California native seems to be the only parent for the kids. In 2001 Suleman gave birth to her first child, a son. In 2002 she gave birth to her first daughter. Suleman continued IVF treatments which resulted in three further pregnancies (including one set of fraternal twins) for a total of six children (four sons, two daughters). After that she had her octuplets. She brings up all 14 kids in a three-bedroom home in Orange Country, California. Having as many as 14 kids was not intentional, she has said in the past. The reality TV star said she never intended to have that many and was 'misled' by her doctor. The single mom told The New York Times in December 2018 that her doctor made her think she was only going to have twins. She ended up having eight children. The star welcomed octuplets in 2009. She said Dr. Michael Kamrava, who has since lost his medical license and moved out of the United States, is the reason she has so many children, she says. 'I was misled by my doctor,' Suleman asserted. She thought she would have only two children. But Kamrava implanted 12 embryos. 'He told me we lost six embryos, he said they were expelled out of me, and that's why he wanted to implant another six,' Suleman claimed. It was also claimed that she was already drugged and not completely with it when it all went down. Kamrava's friend Rabbi David Shofet told the Times: 'He told me he suggested to her not to keep all of them, but she said no.' Suleman began IVF treatments in 1997, when she was 21 years old. Also in the Times interview Nadya said she did not want to keep any secrets from her 14 children: 'We talk about everything,' she said. And the star's daughter Amerah has nothing but good to say about her mom: 'She's been fighting for our family for 10 years now. No matter what, she's never going to give up and I know that.' Her son Joshua told The Times that having so many siblings has its pluses. He said they like having so many siblings. 'Some of my friends don't have any siblings, so they want to know what it's like. It's nice to have someone to play with, but it can be overwhelming at times.'
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jennifer Lawrence Welcomes Second Child With Husband Cooke Maroney
Jennifer Lawrence has expanded her beautiful family. The 'Hunger Games' star, 34, has welcomed her second baby with husband Cooke Maroney, a source confirmed to People. The couple were spotted out in New York City on Monday after the arrival of their little bundle of joy, the outlet reported Tuesday. The baby's name and sex have not yet been revealed. HuffPost has reached out to Lawrence's reps for comment. Lawrence and the art gallery director, 40, tied the knot in 2019 and also share toddler son Cy (named after American painter Cy Twombly), whom they welcomed in February 2022. The news of the Oscar-winning actor's second pregnancy first broke back in October after Vogue reported that Lawrence was expecting another baby, which was confirmed by one of her representatives at the time. Lawrence opened up about becoming a mother for the first time in a separate interview with Vogue following Cy's birth. 'The morning after I gave birth, I felt like my whole life had started over. Like, now is day one of my life,' she told the outlet in September 2022. Lawrence added: 'I just stared [at him]. I was just so in love. I also fell in love with all babies everywhere. Newborns are just so amazing. They're these pink, swollen, fragile little survivors.' She also revealed her favorite thing to do in her marriage to Maroney in an interview with Vanity Fair in November 2021. 'I really enjoy going to the grocery store with him,' Lawrence explained. 'I don't know why, but it fills me with a lot of joy. I think maybe because it's almost a metaphor for marriage. 'Okay, we've got this list. These are the things we need. Let's work together and get this done.'' Jennifer Lawrence Is Expecting Baby No. 2 Watch The Ominous First Teaser For 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' 'Octomom' Nadya Suleman Has 1 Regret After Giving Birth To 14 Kids
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Octomom Natalie ‘Nadya' Suleman Revealed the Jaw-Dropping Amount She Spends on Groceries Each Month
Despite being known as the Octomom, Natalie 'Nadya' Suleman is actually a mom of 14, and with 14 kids comes a hefty grocery bill each month. In an interview with Us Weekly, while promoting Lifetime's docuseries Confessions of Octomom, Suleman talked about how she manages to buy groceries for a household of 15. More from SheKnows Ashlee Simpson Shared Daughter Jagger's Reaction to Chopping off Most of Her Hair 'We find a lot of things on sale. I budget really well, and we all eat very, very healthfully,' she said, talking about how her children are vegan, so she avoids buying meat, dairy, or eggs. 'I focus mainly on what matters — the plant-based whole foods, the fruits and vegetables.' She noted how her grocery bill at Gelson's, an upscale Southern California-based grocer, was $366.94. 'I spend that maybe every other day. So it's still $4,000 or $5,000 a month on groceries on average. And now, if we went above and beyond and we got extras and extra food, we could easily be $10,000 a month. Because of the budgeting, it's about half,' she said. So, they at least spend $48,000 on groceries, and at most, around $60,000. Despite previous bankruptcies and bounding around homes in the early 2010s, she and her children now live in a three-bedroom townhome in Orange County at a discounted rate thanks to someone she met at church, per People. To gain this type of money, there's obviously her public projects like this Lifetime special, she is reported to be working as a counselor full time, occasionally does 'international photoshoots' and uses public assistance. Before the octuplets, she did IVF treatments, she had her first son named Elijah in 2001, then a daughter named Amerah in 2002. She then welcomed two more sons named Joshua, born in 2003, and Aidan, born in 2005, and fraternal twins named Calyssa and Caleb in 2006. Then, many may know, she welcomed eight kids in Jan 2009 named Noah, Maliyah, Isaiah, Nariyah, Jonah, Josiah, Jeremiah, and Makai, giving birth to the first surviving octuplets. Before you go, check out below: Best of SheKnows 30 Ina Garten Dinner Recipes That Will Impress Everyone at Your Table 34 Ways to Turn Costco's Rotisserie Chicken Into a Five-Star Meal Baking Without Eggs Is Possible With These 8 Substitutes
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Natalie Suleman Revealed the Surprising Way She Could Afford the IVF Treatments That Conceived Her Octuplets—'I'm Not Proud of It'
It's the return of Octomom. Natalie 'Nadya' Suleman and her family are finally telling their side of the story after she gave birth to octuplets. Suleman conceived her octuplets via IVF in 2009. She was already a mom to six children before she gave birth, making her total to a whopping 14 children. Suleman and her family garnered heavy media coverage shortly after since she her octuplets were the first to survive after birth. The family has since moved into the private life after the frenzy. 'I've never wanted fame,' she told People. 'That's a number one biggest misconception ever. I sued the hospital because they were the reason I ended up in the public eye.' More from StyleCaster How to Watch Hunting Housewives to See Denise Richards, NeNe Leakes, & More How to Watch Lifetime For Free to Enjoy All of Your Holiday Favorites'I did whatever I needed to do to make ends meet,' she recounted. 'And that was shaming myself, sacrificing my integrity. The life I was leading was not only destructive, it was dark. It was the antithesis of who I am as a person.' Now the Sulemans are ready to show the world their family life with two Lifetime projects: I Was Octomom and Confessions of Octomom. Natalie Suleman's net worth is estimated to be around $300,000 according to Celebrity Net Worth. The single mother of 14 has been open about her financial struggles since she entered the spotlight. 'At the time, I was not unemployed. I was on disability,' she told People. 'I did not use taxpayers' money,' she affirmed about how she could afford IVF treatments. 'I'd saved so much money working as a psychiatric technician at a state psych hospital. I saved well over a hundred thousand dollars. I used all of that money. Instead of buying a house I bought in vitros. I also had an inheritance close to $60,000 that paid for it too, which I'm not proud of. It should have gone for my older kids. I also got student loans, but I paid for everything, period.' Suleman also opened up about her financial insecurity in the early 2010s and how the media painted her to be mooching off the government. According to court papers, she filed for bankruptcy after owing money to Sylvan Learning Center, childcare center Lad N. Lassie and private elementary school Whittier Christian School—debts that combine with others to amount to between $500,000 and $1 million. 'We were always struggling financially but in 2013 that was more than ever. I went right back to my old profession as a therapist working 40 hours a week,' she says. 'I used my education. For years I was typecast as the welfare recipient, unemployed mother, all of which is wrong.' She left her job in 2018 to take care of her son Aidan who has autism. 'I've always been his only provider, but I never got paid,' she revealed. 'So in 2018, that's when I started to get actually paid. It's decent money, but it's still nothing compared to what we need to make to be comfortable in life.' The happy family of 14 are currently living comfortably in Orange County, Calif, after they found security and community. She noted that one couple 'offered us to live here half the rent just because they're good Christian people,' she says. 'People at church have made a positive difference.' Best of StyleCaster The 26 Best Romantic Comedies to Watch if You Want to Know What Love Feels Like These 'Bachelor' Secrets & Rules Prove What Happens Behind the Scenes Is So Much Juicier BTS's 7 Members Were Discovered in the Most Unconventional Ways
