When Natalie (Nadya) Suleman became a public figure back in 2009, her story was one of one.
The Fullerton, Calif. native made waves after giving birth to the first surviving set of octuplets in history, garnering the name “Octomom.” People were particularly intrigued by the fact that Suleman, already a mother of six children — Amerah, Calyssa, Elijah, Caleb, Joshua and Aidan — was implanted with 12 embryos, ultimately leading to the birth of the first surviving octuplets through IVF, Noah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Jonah, Josiah, Makai, Maliyah and Nariyah.
To earn money, the mother of 14 then turned to different ventures, including posing for a nude photo shoot, pornography, boxing and an effort to trademark her “Octomom” nickname, in order to support her big family.
After a whirlwind couple of years making headlines, Suleman retreated from the spotlight around 2013 as she said she began to see her older kids, especially her older daughter, Amerah, “integrating my traits and behaviors.”
Fast forward to now, and not only is Suleman a grandmother — her son Joshua welcomed a daughter last year — but the octuplets are also turning 17 on Jan. 26, 2026.
As the eight siblings gear up to celebrate their 17th birthday, see their family pictures through the years.
2010: Splashin’ Around
Nadya Suleman (who now goes by Natalie) welcomed octuplets in 2009, and after a brief moment of notoriety, has mostly retreated from the spotlight to raise her 14 children — while occasionally sharing updates on their milestones.
In this throwback Instagram photo, the year-old octuplets (Nariyah, Isaiah, Maliyah, Jeremiah, Noah, Josiah, Jonah and Makai) splashed in an inflatable-pool alongside their two oldest siblings, Eli and Amerah.
The Toddler Years: All Lined Up
Suleman wished her kids a happy 13th birthday with a throwback photo of the tiny toddler octuplets sitting side-by-side. “I have never seen children who love and want to serve others, (particularly those less fortunate), so boldly and confidently like each and every one of you do,” their mom said.
2013: Poolside Pee-Wees
To celebrate their 10th birthday in 2019, Suleman posted a throwback of the octuplets at age 4 looking ready for a swim.
2015: Making Memories
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Suleman shared this cute throwback from Halloween 2015. Between Wolverine, Batman and the Ninja Turtle, we’re certain she had her hands full while trick-or-treating that year.
2016: Starting 2nd Grade
“Not exactly the first day (started Wednesday lol)…but close enough!” Suleman wrote alongside an Instagram of her kids in their school uniforms.
2016: Holiday Spirit
The kids lined up in front of a playground to take a holiday-themed photo “after singing in their school’s Christmas performance,” according to Suleman.
2017: Super-Mom
The kids gathered around a table to give handwritten cards and drawings to their mother.
2017: Starting 3rd Grade
On their first day of third grade, the youngest eight of Suleman’s 14 kids posed for a picture. “#TheyWereAllSoExcited” she wrote on Instagram.
2017: Crossing the Line
In another Turkey Trot photo, Suleman joked that her kids took up the “entire sack race.”
2018: Dinner Time
Suleman has shared on several occasions that she and her children eat vegan (except for Joshua, whom she’s claimed is “the ONLY non vegan in the family”).
2018: Siblings on Stage
According to the hashtags in Suleman’s caption on this Instagram of the octuplets in costume for a play, Isaiah played The Doctor, Maliyah and Jonah played The Farmers, Josiah was The Cowboy, Jonah was The Gold Miner, Jeremiah was The Captain, Makai and Nariyah acted as The Native Americans and Noah played The Business Man Surfer and Square Dancer.
2018: Starting 4th Grade
Suleman shared her back-to-school stress in the caption of a photo featuring her kids in their school outfits. While she joked that she’s “an official bus driver” with six school drop-offs throughout the morning, she said she “wouldn’t have it any other way.”
2018: Thankful Together
The family smiled in matching t-shirts for their annual thanksgiving “Turkey Trot” tradition.
2019: More Thanks to Mom
Even Eli, Suleman’s eldest “who despises pictures,” joined for a group photo to celebrate Mother’s Day.
2019: Starting 5th Grade
Eight smiles fill out the frame of this Instagram commemorating the kids’ first day of fifth grade.
2019: Rain or Shine
“Our Turkey Trot family tradition turned into a wet and wild, bone chillingly cold, mud run!” Suleman wrote on an Instagram of her kids wearing rain ponchos and medals after their 5K run.
2020: Outdoor Fun
In her Instagram caption, Suleman called this group shot a “rare occurrence considering how crazy active and energetic they all are!”
2021: Celebrating Mom
On Mother’s Day, 10 of 14 kids posed for a photo alongside Suleman to celebrate her with cards, flowers and large stuffed animals.
2022: Starting 8th Grade
At 13, Noah, Maliyah, Nariyah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Jonah, Josiah and Makai were making their way through middle school.
“You are exceptional role models to the 6th and 7th graders,” Suleman wrote to her teenagers as they prepared for their first day of 8th grade.
2023: Blessed Birthday
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
For her birthday in 2023, Suleman took a moment to show gratitude to her loving kids. “Thank you kids for making my birthday yesterday so special and stress free!” she wrote. “I’m so grateful to you all for your insurmountable love! I feel beyond blessed. I love you ❤️”
2023: Feeling the Love
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
“Happy belated Thanksgiving and Happy Native American Heritage Day! Thank you to the head chefs Jonah, Nariyah, Noah, and Jeremiah, who worked relentlessly cooking delicious meals for the family,” Suleman wrote under this post for Thanksgiving 2023. “You are loved and appreciated, and deserved those two overflowing plates of your creations!”
Birthday Serenade
On her birthday in July 2024, Suleman shared a video of her kids surrounding her and singing “Happy Birthday” as she blew out the candles on her cake. She also posted a photo of the gifts and cards she received, one sweetly inscribed with “I know a good mom when I see one.”
2024: Compliments to the Chefs
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Suleman thanked Noah, Nariyah, Jonah and Isaiah who headed the kitchen duties for Thanksgiving 2024 and made “healthy plant based, whole food, nutrient dense creations.”
2025: Eight Going on 16
Nicolette Lambright/courtesy Lifetime
The eight kids lined up for the sweetest 16 photo as they celebrated their birthday in 2025.
“You are loved, valued, and appreciated more than words can express!” wrote Suleman in the caption. “I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living, my babies you’ll be.”
2025: Mommy and Us
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
For Suleman’s milestone 50th birthday in 2025, she posted a cozy photo with her octuplets at home. To her eldest six children, who often opt out of family photos, she thanked them “for the unique gifts” — but most of all, their “quality time and love.”
“These moments I spend with you all each day make me so happy and blessed to be your mom,” she continued.
