The birth of eight babies in January 2009 was greeted with excitement and interest. But as details came out about the single unemployed mother who willfully implanted six embryos despite already having six children under the age of 7, public sentiment turned against her.
A joyous birth for a woman admittedly "obsessed with children" became a public relations nightmare as the 'octomom' was painted as selfish. Her own parents' admission that they'd declared bankruptcy in order to feed, clothe, and care for the family didn't help her case.
And that was just the first two weeks of the Nadya Suleman story.
Follow the headlines as they broke:
FEBRUARY 2009
Octuplets Born in California
January 28, 2009
On January 26, 2009, the birth of octuplets surprised a family in California who were expecting 'only' septuplets, making this only the second set of living octuplets born in this country.
Octuplet Mom Revealed But Publicist Handles Interviews
February 3, 2009
As the 'Octo-Mom' story broke about unemployed single parent Nadya Suleman and her brood of 14 children, the media feeding frenzy was fueled by details of her financial instability, her parents' bankruptcy, and her previous six children - the result of in vitro fertilization. Her publicist - handling the initial interviews - claimed that multi-million dollar offers were being discussed.
NBC Interview - 'Dysfunctional Childhood' Caused Nadya's Obsession With Children
February 7, 2009
In her first media interview, the octuplet mom told NBC's Ann Curry that growing up as an only child made her long for a large family. Disturbing statements made by Nadya Suleman indicate she may be deeply troubled and emotionally unprepared to raise 14 children on her own.
Octuplet Grandma Speaks Out, Tells a Different Story
February 9, 2009
In an interview with celebrity news website RadarOnline.com, octuplet grandmother Angela Suleman disputed her daughter's claims that her childhood was 'dysfunctional,' suggesting 'octomom' may have stretched the truth to gain sympathy.
Nadya Suleman Family Website Solicits Donations as Shaky Financial Details Emerge
February 13, 2009
Suleman's PR firm launched TheNadyaSulemanFamily.com website with a direct link to PayPal, while an independent blogger began to sift through mounting evidence that the octuplet mother received more than her fair share of government aid.
Did Nadya Have Cosmetic Work Done to Look Like Angelina Jolie?
February 13, 2009
"Before" pics of Nadya Suleman circulating on the internet generate outrage as it appears she spent some of her disability money on fertility treatments, and some on cosmetic procedures.
Dropped By PR Firm, Website Yanked, Nadya's Rumored Signing With Agent Proves False
February 17, 2009
Amidst death threats to the mother and graphic emails/voice mails to the publicist, Suleman's PR firm dropped her as a client and removed her infamous website. Following in the steps of another famous mulitple-birth family, Suleman reportedly signed with the nation's oldest Christian agency to represent her, but the agency's owner later denied that claim.
Living the Examined Life - Has Media Exposure Hurt the Children of the Suleman, Gosselin, and Loud Families?
February 17, 2009
Was Nadya Suleman's desire for a multiple birth influenced by Jon & Kate Plus 8, a popular TV reality show featuring Jon and Kate Gosselin, their twin daughters and sextuplets? Is there anything wrong with putting babies and young children in the spotlight in the hopes of making money? And what happened to the first family ever to be exposed like this on TV - Bill and Pat Loud and their five kids - back in 1973?
No TV Show, and Soon No Home for the Suleman Family
February 19, 2009
TLC, the network that broadcasts the sextuplet family show Jon & Kate Plus 8 had apparently considered the Suleman octuplets for their own reality show. But those hopes were dashed in a magazine interview. On top of that, the Suleman family learned their house was in foreclosure, with over $23,000 in mortgage payments owed.
Is He Octo-Dad? Former Boyfriend Steps Forward for "Good Morning America" Interview
February 23, 2009
Is Denis Beaudoin the father of Nadya Suleman's octuplets? The former boyfriend of Nadya Suleman stated he believes he's the dad in an interview on ABC's Good Morning America. The married father of two tells interviewer Chris Cuomo that he stepped forward because he "didn't want to duck responsibility."
Oprah's Interview With Octuplet Grandpa Ed Doud
February 24, 2009
After contacting the Oprah show in hopes of setting the record straight about his daughter, octuplet grandpa Ed Doud faced persistent questioning from Oprah regarding the mental state of his daughter. Dr. Mehmet Oz joined the conversation, stating that the preemies may very likely experience physical problems and that Nadya Suleman's controversial pregnancy put the babies at risk.
Suleman's $1 Million Offer - Octo-Mom as Porno Mom?
February 25, 2009
According to TMZ.com, an adult entertainment company extended an offer to Nadya Suleman - make a porno and receive $1 million. If she signs a contract, they say they'll give her and her family medical and dental coverage.
Suleman Says Kaiser Won't Release Her Octuplets
February 25, 2009
In a phone call to TV talk show host Dr. Phil, Nadya Suleman said that hospital officials at Kaiser Permanente expressed concerns about her ability to care for her octuplets. Until she improves her circumstances and her living conditions, they may not allow her to bring her infants home.
See page 2 for March 2009 developments and headlines in the Nadya Suleman/Octomom story.
