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Octomom Natalie "Nadya" Suleman Celebrates 50th Birthday With Her Kids
Natalie "Nadya" Suleman is delivering a rare update.
The Octomom, as she became known in 2009 after she gave birth to the first-ever surviving octuplets, reflected on the difficult year she’s had while praising her kids on her 51st birthday.
“Thank you to all my 14 kids, my daughter in law and granddaughter, for making me feel so special on my birthday yesterday,” Suleman wrote on Instagram July 13. “Though this past year has been one of the most challenging seasons of my life, I’ll at least know that my beautiful family will always be here to love and support me at my highest and lowest points.”
Before giving birth to her 17-year-old octuplets Noah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Jonah, Josiah, Makai, Maliyah and Nariyah, Suleman was already mom to kids Elijah, 25, Amerah, 24, Joshua, 22, Aidan, 21, and twins Calyssa and Caleb, 19, from a sperm donor.
“I love you all so much,” the mom of 14 concluded her update. “And a special thank you to my two lovely daughters Maliyah and Nariyah.”
While Suleman’s youngest daughters received a special shoutout, the pair also honored their mom with their own birthday tribute.
“Thank you for loving and protecting all of us throughout our lives,” Maliyah and Nariyah wrote on their joint Instagram July 12. “Thank you for instilling in us the value of health, fitness, and self care; and most importantly, thank you for raising us with the Lord, teaching us to love and respect all living things.”
Instagram/Natalie "Nadya" Suleman
The pair added, “For all our lives you have been working from the ground up to provide and protect us, and from you we’ve learned to be resilient and persevere through all challenges life throws at us. We love you with all our hearts and souls and we know God does too.”
Though Suleman didn’t specify what made her recent year a challenging one, she previously touched on perseverance in her last social media update in October.
“Stay committed, consistent, and focused on your own path and progress,” she wrote on Instagram at the time. “Most importantly, never give up on yourself, even when you want to. Do not strive for perfection; but rather, trust in the process.”
For a look back at Suleman’s family photos through the years, keep scrolling…
Instagram/Natalie "Nadya" Suleman
50th Birthday
Natalie "Nadya" Suleman—who earned the nickname Octomom in 2009 after giving birth to octuplets Noah, Maliyah, Isaiah, Nariyah, Makai, Josiah, Jeremiah, Jonah—celebrated her 50th birthday in July 2025 with her eight youngest kids.
She noted on Instagram at the time that her eldest six kids Elijah, Amerah, Joshua, Aidan, Caleb and Calyssa were "not in the photo per usual" to maintain their privacy.
Instagram / Natalie Suleman
Making Memories
Natalie celebrated her first grandchild turning six months old with some sweet photos.
"I can’t believe our little angel is already 6 months old!" she wrote on Instagram in March 2025 alongside pictures of the little one, who is the daughter of her son Joshua. "You have been one of the greatest blessings in all of our lives. Your beautiful, sweet smile fills my heart immeasurably. I love you more than words could express. We are all so grateful to watch you grow and thrive every single day!"
Borrowing the words from the children's book Love You Forever, Natalie added, "I’ll love you forever. I’ll like you for always As long as I’m living My grand-baby you’ll be."
Instagram / Natalie Suleman
Happy Thanksgiving
Natalie thanked her children Noah, Nariyah, Jonah, and Isaiah for their "hard work and dedication in the kitchen" for Thanksgiving 2024.
"Your healthy plant based, whole food, nutrient dense creations are compassionate and delicious!" she wrote on Instagram at the time. "We are all grateful and blessed."
Instagram / Natalie Suleman
Halloween Fun
The mom of 14 marked Halloween 2024 by sharing a throwback photo of her and some of her kids dressed up in their costumes in 2015.
Instagram / Natalie Suleman
Becoming a Grandma
In September 2024, Natalie announced that she'd become a grandma.
"Thank you God for blessing my son Joshua and lovely daughter in law with this beautiful gift!" she wrote on Instagram. "We are so grateful she is a new addition to our family! Baby girl you are so very loved and we can’t wait to watch you grow!! 8/30/24."
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Surrounded by Love
While her kids smiled for the camera, Mom snuck in a wish on her 49th birthday in July 2024.
"Thank you kids for making my birthday yesterday so special!" she wrote on Instagram. "I love you all."
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Compliments to the Chefs
Jonah, Nariyah, Noah and Jeremiah were in charge of the family's vegan feast on Native American Heritage Day in 2023.
"Happy belated Thanksgiving and Happy Native American Heritage Day!" Natalie wrote on Instagram in November 2023. "Thank you to the head chefs Jonah, Nariyah, Noah, and Jeremiah, who worked relentlessly cooking delicious meals for the family. You are loved and appreciated, and deserved those two overflowing plates of your creations! Hope all our kind supporters had a safe and blessed special time with loved ones!"
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Girls Night Out
Mom took Amerah and Calyssa out for ramen (vegan, of course) in August 2023.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Birthday Bliss
In lieu of 48 candles, the kids brought balloons for their mom's birthday in July 2023.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Young Queen
Natalie's eldest daughter Amerah celebrated her 21st birthday in July 2023.
Instagram / Natalie Suleman
Dynamic Duo
The two enjoyed a mother daughter movie night in July 2023.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
We've Got Each Other
Natalie marked twins Caleb and Calyssa's sweet 16 with this adorable throwback pic.
"Happy sweet 16th birthday to my, (couldn’t be more polar opposite), twins Caleb and Calyssa!" she wrote on Instagram in October 2022. "Calyssa, you have grown into a kind, loving, compassionate (towards all living things), intelligent, beautiful young lady. Words cannot describe how proud I am to call you my daughter. You are a talented writer and artist, and will achieve any goal you set for yourself, as long as you never give up. I admire your mental strength, determination, and perseverance, and am blessed to be your mom. Caleb, you have grown into a loving, caring, highly intelligent, comedic, quick witted, perceptive, and devoted young man. I am blessed to have you as a son. May God continue to bless you both abundantly. I love you."
Instagram / Natalie Suleman
First Day of School
In August 2022, Natalie celebrated her octuplets starting eighth grade.
"Be proud of yourselves kids for being kind, respectful, and helpful to all your fellow peers, teachers and staff," she wrote on Instagram alongside their first day of school photo. "You are exceptional role models to the 6th and 7th graders. I love you."
And to any "critics" wondering about why her older kids weren't in the snap, Natalie made it clear "their older siblings did not want me to post a picture on their first day. I respect their choice, so should you."
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Beloved Cats
The family loves their fur babies too.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Look What I Made
Showing off a cat and crafts on the couch.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Twinning!
Maliyah and Nariyah were a coordinated sister act.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Fur Baby Bonding
The Sulemans are a cat family, so Maliyah took the opportunity to do some dog-sitting.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Man of the House
Natalie snuck a rare recent pic of eldest son Elijah onto her feed in honor of his 21st birthday in 2022.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Every Day is Mother's Day
Mother's Day is never lonely for Natalie, here celebrating with her octuplets and their big sister Amerah in 2022.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
12th Birthday
"Happy 12th birthday to 8 of the most kind, caring, and respectful kids I have ever known," Natalie wrote to her octuplets on Instagram in January 2021. "Your compassion for all living things and the value of humbly serving others is the definition of love. You make my heart full, and have blessed our lives abundantly. I am honored to be your mother."
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Brotherly Love
Noah and Jonah got ready to dig in.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
14 and Counting
The Suleman octuplets enjoyed baked goods on their 14th birthday.
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Throwback Photos
Joshua, sporting the temporary face tat, and big brother Eli were about to take flight in this throwback pic their mom shared.
Instagram / Natalie Suleman
Loving Siblings
In this throwback photo, Natalie reflected on how "Makai has always been Aidan’s guardian angel, looking out for him from day one."
Natalie Suleman/Instagram
Santa's Helpers
Getting eight children to line up and smile for a pic sounds like a Christmas miracle to us.
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