14 Years Later, Octomom Reveals That She Got The One Thing She Never Wanted
The Octomom sprang to the forefront of public consciousness in 2008 when the shocking story of her having had 12 embryos implanted first hit the mass media. That media frenzy around the Octomom continued over the next few years, peaking in 2009 when she welcomed an incredible eight babies in one birth. Virtually everyone in America seemed to have an opinion on her, whether positive or negative. And even those who didn’t seemed keen to keep up with how she and the babies were doing. But there was more to the Octomom’s story than most people realized. What’s more, she and her family are almost unrecognizable today.
Mom-of-six
The Octomom was already a mom-of-six when she gave birth to those eight babies. This was one of the main aspects of her story that caused so much controversy and debate in the media and among ordinary people. How could she possibly want any more children?
Then there was the fact that she was a single mom without a partner. Plus, whose sperm was used to make the babies? But we’ll get on to all that. First, let’s take a look at who the Octomom really is.
Who is the Octomom?
Of course, the infamous “Octomom” moniker is not the real name of the chief protagonist of this absorbing story: it is merely a nickname that was bestowed on her by the media, in reference to her giving birth to those eight babies in one sitting. But gee, did that moniker really stick! Not many people know that the real-life name of Octomom is Natalie Suleman.
So, what do we know about Natalie? What is her background and what factors pushed her into becoming the media sensation that she is? Let’s take a deep dive into her family history and early years to find out more.
Mixed heritage
She was born Nadya Denise Suleman in the city of Fullerton in California’s affluent Orange County on July 11, 1975. She was the only child produced from the relationship between Edward and Angela Suleman, and only recently switched from Nadya to Natalie.
Like many in the melting pot of America, her family is of mixed heritage. Her father’s roots are Palestinian; he has worked as both a restaurateur and realtor, and even as a translator in Iraq later on. Her mother, meanwhile, is of Lithuanian descent, and worked as a schoolteacher.
Southern California upbringing
Growing up in southern California, Natalie initially went by her father’s last name, Doud. The future media sensation went to Nogales High School in La Puente, before attending Mount San Antonio College in Walnut.
Natalie’s early childhood years were largely spent in La Puente, Rowland Heights, and Hacienda Heights. According to public state documents obtained by the L.A. Times, her early years were fairly serene and typically suburban. The “half Arabic, half Lithuanian” Natalie also noted that she was “well-loved” and “close to her parents.”