But few can hold a candle to Natalie Suleman, also known as Octomom.
With such sudden notoriety, Suleman became the “poster person for mommy shaming,” as she toldE!
That was not a real marriage."
Although she’s experienced severe back pain over the years, Octomom is fortunately able to stay active.
In a June 2023Instagrampost, Suleman explained why she lifts weights as part of her workout regimen.
“[A]nd a torn abdominal cavity to top it off.”
But Suleman says she’s able to ward off some of the discomfort thanks to her active lifestyle.
How could she manage to care for all her kids as a single mother?
But this wasn’t exactly how she’d envisioned things going when she began her fertility treatments.
“I wasn’t aware that that was happening,” Suleman told People.
“I was sedated on the table.”
Fifteen hospital employees were fired and eight were disciplined for reviewing Suleman’s personal medical records without cause.
But in addition to the serious HIPAA violation, the hospital forced Octomom to hire a PR manager.
“In retrospect, I would have refused,” Suleman said.
“I didn’t even know I had that right as a patient to refuse.
I wish I had some legal assistance at that time.”
Some of which, tragically, even included death threats.
“I was fighting for my survival.”
One aspect of this, of course, was the financial burden.
She hoped this would bring in a higher salary to help support her kids, she said.
But the other major impact Suleman’s babies had on her life was complete and total exhaustion.
“About two or three hours a night.”
Fortunately, no one was injured, but the threat of violence was suddenly very real.
But she acknowledged the decision was necessary to take care of her 14 kids.
“I’ve never wanted fame,” Suleman toldPeoplein March 2025.
“That’s [the] No.
1 biggest misconception ever.”
“I did whatever I needed to do to make ends meet.
And that was shaming myself, sacrificing my integrity,” she added.
“The life I was leading was not only destructive, it was dark.
It was the antithesis of who I am as a person.”
But finally, in 2025, Suleman decided it was time to make a comeback.
“My family and I are taking our life back,” Suleman said.
“I went right back to my old profession as a therapist working 40 hours a week.”
“And when it’s 14 kids, they all have different needs.”
“I’ve been his sole [caretaker] since birth,” she continued.
“He monopolizes the majority of my time and energy.”
Suleman said that when Aidan was younger and the octuplets were born, he was similar to them developmentally.
But now that he’s gotten bigger, Aidan needs much more of his mother’s time and attention.
Fortunately, “The kids all look out for him,” Suleman added.
Suleman shared anInstagrampost in May 2022 in honor of her eldest child Elijah’s 21st birthday.
“All sense of normalcy was ripped out from under him.”
