For years, Natalie “Nadya” Suleman, better known as Octomom, has been the subject of media attention after giving birth to the world’s first surviving octuplets in 2009.
Now, at 49 years old, Suleman is sharing the struggles and sacrifices she made to raise 14 children as a single mother.
In a recent interview, she opened up about the emotional toll of motherhood, the financial challenges she faced, and the decisions she made to support her family.
Financial Struggles and Sacrifices to Support Her Family
Suleman admitted that when her children were younger, she felt overwhelmed.
“I remember feeling like I was drowning,” she said, juggling the responsibilities of feeding her large family, paying off student loans, and trying to make ends meet.
In order to provide for her kids, she made difficult decisions, including working in the adult entertainment industry.
“I did whatever I needed to do to make ends meet,” she confessed, revealing that she participated in an X-rated adult film, did a nude photoshoot, and worked as a stripper.
“It was not easy, and it was shaming myself and sacrificing my integrity,” she said.
Despite the controversy surrounding her choices, Suleman emphasized that she never sought fame.
“I’ve never wanted fame,” she explained. “That’s the biggest misconception.
I sued the hospital because they were the ones who put me in the public eye.”
Finding Stability and Returning to Her Old Profession
In 2013, after years of struggling in the limelight, Suleman stepped out of the media’s gaze.
She returned to her previous profession as a therapist, working 40 hours a week.
“We were always struggling financially, but by 2013, it was more than ever,” she recalled.
However, her new job provided some stability as she used her education to support herself and her children.
“For years, I was typecast as the welfare recipient, unemployed mother, all of which is wrong,” she said.
Despite her efforts, Suleman soon faced another challenge. Her son, Aidan, who is profoundly autistic, required more care than she could provide while maintaining her job.
“Aidan’s needs were becoming overwhelming,” she shared.
“I’ve always been his only provider, but I never got paid.” In 2018, Suleman began getting paid for her work caring for Aidan, though she acknowledged that the income was still far from enough to be comfortable.
Being Transparent With Her Children About Her Past
Suleman also revealed that she did not hide her past from her children. “They know everything.
They went through it with me,” she said. “It was such a blessing to be able to be free from that.
Those were chains.” Suleman emphasized that her past was not something she was ashamed of but instead a part of her journey.
Now that her octuplets are 16 years old, Suleman still resides in a three-bedroom townhouse in Orange County with her 11 younger children. Her older children have since moved out.
Despite the challenges, Suleman finds support from her community and church. “People at church have made a positive difference,” she shared.
One couple even offered to help her family by charging “half the rent just because they’re good Christian people.”
Debunking the Myths and Criticisms
Throughout her life, Suleman has faced public scrutiny and false rumors, particularly about her financial situation.
She took the opportunity to address and debunk some of the misconceptions.
“I did not use taxpayers’ money,” she said, referring to the claims that she used government assistance to undergo IVF treatments.
“I saved over a hundred thousand dollars working as a psychiatric technician at a state psych hospital,” she clarified.
Suleman also revealed that she used a portion of an inheritance, amounting to nearly $60,000, to fund her IVF procedures. “I used all of that money.
Instead of buying a house, I bought in vitro,” she said, adding that her decision to use her savings was focused on providing the best possible future for her children.
A Story of Strength, Survival, and Success
Looking back on the years of hardship, Suleman now describes her journey as one of strength, survival, and success.
Despite facing overwhelming odds and public judgment, she continues to raise her children with resilience.
“There were so many false narratives,” she said, reflecting on how the public was fed erroneous information about her life.
“I am proof that you can overcome challenges and find success no matter what the world thinks of you.”
Suleman’s story serves as a testament to her unwavering dedication as a mother and her ability to rise above the challenges life has thrown her way.