Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Zoe Armstrong: Five Ways to Fake a Break and Avoid Parenting Burnout
How To Help Victims Of The Tornado
Angelina Jolie: Octuplets Mom Creeps Me Out
Filed under: Toddlers Preschoolers, Health & Safety: Babies, Development/Milestones: Babies, Celeb Parents, In The News, Day Care & Education, Feeding & Sleeping, Baby-sitting, Research Reveals: Babies, Nutrition: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Expert Advice: Babies, Health & Safety: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Development: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Behavior: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Activities: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Gear Guides: Babies, Gear Guides: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Research Reveals: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Expert Advice: Toddlers & Preschoolers
And although Suleman says she doesn't give a hoot about Jolie ("I have never thought of Angelina Jolie except the last time I saw one of her movies. I think that was years ago. It is so far away from the place I'm in right now, to think of any celebrity"), friends and family of Suleman say the mother of 14 secretly envies the Oscar winner.
Octuplets Gallery
A child stands in a bedroom in the home of Angela Suleman, the grandmother of the California octuplets. Nadya Suleman, the mother of the babies who also has six other children, said this week that she is done having children. See More Photos From RadarOnline.com
Stewart Cook, RadarOnline.com
The Southern California woman who gave birth to octuplets on Jan. 26 had the embryos implanted at a Beverly Hills clinic run by a controversial doctor, it was revealed Monday. Here, Dr. Michael Kamrava is shown performing an ultrasound on a pregnant Nadya Suleman in 2006. In addition to the octuplets, Suleman has six other children, ages 2 to 7.
KTLA / AP
Suleman is shown with two of her children in 2006. The single mom told NBC's 'Today' show that she was "fixated" on having children. She said all 14 of her children were conceived through in vitro fertilization with sperm donated by a friend. She said she used the same doctor for all her pregnancies.
KTLA / AP
Suleman looks at an ultrasound of her unborn twins in 2006. She told NBC that she is not "living off the taxpayers," but she has accepted food stamps. RadarOnline.com reported that she is living in a hotel room, although it's not clear who is paying for the room.
KTLA / AP
NBC's 'Today' broadcast footage Monday of Suleman visiting her octuplets in the California hospital where they were born Jan. 26. There are six boys and two girls.
MSNBC.com
A combination picture shows the octuplets. Clockwise from top left are: Josiah, Makai, Jeremiah, Nariyah, Jonah, Noah, Maliyah and Isaiah. All share the middle name Angel and the last name Solomon.
NBC / Reuters
Suleman did not disclose the name of her doctor, but she said on 'Today' that she went to the West Coast IVF Clinic in Beverly Hills. Its director is Kamrava, shown being followed by reporters Monday. Kamrava, 57, would not comment, but told reporters outside his clinic on Rodeo Drive that he had granted an interview to one of the television networks.
Nick Ut, AP
Kamrava enters his office Monday. Some fertility specialists have questioned his methods. "He's tried some novel techniques and some of those methods have been controversial," said Dr. John Jain, founder of Santa Monica Fertility Specialists. Ethicists have questioned the decision to implant so many embryos in Suleman, saying the health of both the mother and babies were at risk.
Nick Ut, AP
Without identifying the doctor, the Medical Board of California said last week that it was investigating Suleman's physician to see whether there may have been "a violation of the standard of care." The board said Monday it has not taken any disciplinary action against Kamrava in the past.
Nick Ut, AP
This is the building where Kamrava's clinic is located. Many have questioned why a doctor would help a single woman with six young children and no visible means of support to conceive more babies.
Nick Ut, AP
What's more, a source close to Jolie (mother of six) says it's not just reading about Suleman in the media that triggers her irritation. Apparently Suleman has reached out to Jolie several times over the past year, sending her fan mail congratulating her on her humanitarian efforts. .
Says the source: ''At least she wasn't a total crazy...like the stalkers who try to actually meet Angelina and follow along with the paparazzi. It is clear this woman needs psychological help. It's one thing to clip out a celebrity's photo from a magazine and ask your [hair] stylist to copy that cut. Who hasn't done that? But to have a nose job, have collagen injections in your lips and start talking like Angelina -- that's over the top.''
Let's go over the similarities between Suleman and Jolie.
•Both are age 33 and famous for being a mom.
•Both wanted to be single mothers.
•Both have strikingly similar features -- Suleman has been accused of having plastic surgery on her lips and nose to resemble the actress.
•Suleman agreed to sit down with Ann Curry for her first interview with the media. Curry has long been Jolie's most consistent interviewer, flying around the world with the star throughout the years.
Sure, I am just speculating but the resemblance is striking. What do you think?
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
- What is the TFI ORGANIZATION IN KS?
- Why should anyone listen to a _____, what makes her an expert? Harpo is jus an actress, all she does is sit on her tush & claim she knows it all. ...
- Alot of .gov when submitting a program or proposal for government agency (be sure you personally can provide for the agency)











ReaderComments (Page 3 of 23)
2-15-2009 @ 7:03PM
Marian said...I think it is unfair for everyone to talk so negative about Nadya. She has a right just like everyone else to have as many children as she wants. To wish misery on her or to the hopes that no one help her or pays for her story is wrong as well. You would have to blame the media for this one and many other stories similar to this. The media and magazines blast crap like this all over the covers of their magazine that you almost have to be a cheater or single with children to be noticed. There is absolutely nothing wrong in admiring qualities in others that inspire you whether you are considered a copy cat or not is just ones opinion. The media has to come up with positive stories to sell their magazine instead of the most outrageous stories and photos to glamourized. The worse is yet to come. You will see children younger and younger having babies thanks to movies like Juno and shows like Secret Life of the American Teenager. I will admit, I have not seen either show/movie but the previews alone are enough to trigger the young mind into thinking that is what they may want to do.
Read the book No by David Walsh and grasp some thoughts here or we are all in for a rude awakening.
Reply
2-15-2009 @ 9:36PM
ninainindia said...IN Juno the teenage girl gave the baby up for adoption. It was in no way a film that encourages children to have children.
And yes, everyone gets to decide how many children they want in principle. But when you already have 6 children and no job and no relationship, any sane person would not have IVF treatment, especially not with 6 eggs.
2-18-2009 @ 5:04AM
sue said...my biggest problem with this loser - how can you collect food stamps when you received a settlement for $165,000.00? last time
i heard you had to disclose all assets to apply. that chunk of money
in the bank is a huge asset, & she should be investigated for welfare
fraud. i also believe the doctor should be investigated also. they need to set up stricter guidelines for these procedures, before more
people come up with this. if you cant have children on your own, GOD is trying to tell you something. you should try to find out what
his purpose is for you or ADOPT!!!
2-17-2009 @ 10:30AM
stephanie said...Excuse me, Mariam,
NO ONE has the RIGHT to mooch off the system the way Nadya is! Welfare is for hardworking people who need a little help to get back on their feet. Not self absorbed, selfish, lazy people. I purposely chose to NOT have children because i did not want to be poor and mooch off the system. Guess what I did instead? I got a job, teaching preschool. A job where yes, I pay taxes. it is not about having children or not, or about how many. Iti s about having a decent relationship with one's self so that the void does not need to be filled with having babies one can not afford. Maybe I should be a pysychologist.
It is not that we wish Nadya ill will. It is that we are all working hard to live within our means, and here she comes with her expectation that hardworking tax payers should foot the bill for her whimsical dream life. Oh, and don't forget all the taxes w e get to spend on her children's diabilities.
All any of us wants is to see people be accountable for their actions, live within their means and stop expecting something for nothing. My parents raised us to believe that God helps those who help themselves!
2-17-2009 @ 11:17AM
Lisa said...You have the right to have as many babies as you want if you are supporting them. Nadya is not supporting her children. For someone who is not supporting her children to even consider having one more is selfish. She is using the state, her parents and her children. She is playing the system and knows full well what she is doing. The media needs to stop paying attention to the bottom feeder so she just goes away.
I feel for Angelina. The last thing I would want is to be associated with this nut. Angelina is a classy lady who is giving so many chidren a chance at a good life. Nadya on the other hand is giving so many children a chance at horrible life.
2-17-2009 @ 11:03AM
Lillian said...She may have a right to have as many children as she desires; however, it is not the government responsibility to take care of them. It is her duty to take care of her children - this is where today's society is amiss. Everybody expects the government to take care of them- whatever happened to values? The idea that you should work and earn for you and yours' keep has been replaced by the notion that it is the government who has to take care of you - so many people able to work expecting government handouts --and the jobs nobody wants illegal do --- and then are prosecuted for doing so. What a shame!.
2-17-2009 @ 11:16AM
JackieReacher said...You're correct, She has the right to have as many children as she wants. What she does not have the right to do is ask the taxpayers to support them. Aid programs exist for people who fall on hard times and need a little help. Not for those who willfully and intentionally put themselves into such situations.
2-17-2009 @ 11:34AM
Tiwi said...You must be a stalker type yourself.
2-17-2009 @ 12:27PM
maketym said...Yes, everyone has the right to have as many children as they choose but what about being able to afford those children. She absolutely cannot afford those babies and its not fair to infringe her obsessive need for more kids onto us the tax payers who will have to support her. I find it selfish on her part and honestly, as much as I've tried to see both sides...I find it impossible to have any sympathy toward this woman. I too think she is in need of some very serious psych help.
2-17-2009 @ 12:29PM
jackie said...I was just wondering if you had no job, 14 kids, going to school. I would be pisswed if I was a californian. The state is paying for her cosmetic surgeries, and her children. I am sure glad I dont live in California. Or maybe I should I need some corrective surgery.
2-17-2009 @ 1:59PM
San said...You talk about the media being negative to her, then you go and talk negative about a tv show. A TV show doesn't cause people to do things....if this were the case, why isn't true love a fairy tale like it is on tv?? Why is the negative stuff on TV passed off but not the good stuff?? It should work both ways. And yes you have to do something outrageous to be "famous"...that's our fault...we as citizens need to stand up for what is right, not just let our government take control....we have the right to revolt, but we don't...we stand by and hope that someone else will take care of things. In today's economy she had no right birthing that many kids...it's not fair to the kids...why should we leave her alone when she is putting others at danger (like her kids)?? If you really cared, you would care about what is going to happen to the kids, not her. She isn't thinking!! And neither are any of you others who support what she is doing. Yea, we should help others but we should also expect others to help themselves. She clearly isn't helping herself, she is sponging. Do you work? You want your tax dollars supporting selfish people? If that's the case, then all you bleeding hearts need to step up and pay the bill and support her financially as well!!
2-17-2009 @ 1:53PM
Tammy in Texas said...Are you going to pay for her 14 children??? Or are we?
2-17-2009 @ 4:48PM
Liz said...Marian, no one is trying to tell Nutsya haow many children to have, but they are tired of paying for her ill-conceived ideas. Too bad her womb wasn't as ill-conceived. What possible thought process goes on when you are telling a Dr. (quack) to implant "as many embryos as possible", when after jsut a little research, you could realize that the more embryos you have that survive the higher the risk of birth defects. She couldn't care less about those babies or her other children, it's all "Look at me, Look at me", I hope the state steps in and finds those poor children decent homes.
the funny thing is, if she were running a "puppy mill", PETA would shut her down in a minute. And trust me, I really think she IS a female dog.
2-17-2009 @ 11:15PM
Marian said...San, Jackie, Liz, Maktym,..and most others.. you all make some very good points. I do not agree with her actions in the least but what I hear is everyone saying the same things about her and the media put it out there the way they wanted it to be or we wouldn't know and everyone is running with it..and which parts of IT is actually correct?? They put pictures of her unkept home in magazine but fail to mention it may of came to that due to having to be on bed rest. YES We should ignore stories like hers to take away the glamor of it and trust the system to do what is right for the situation and maybe stories like these willgo away. I certainly do not agree with what has happen here but I am not surprised. She isn't the first and trust me she will not be the last. It is unfortunate there are so many kids involved but no different than 14 of your neighbors in the same situation. My only points are the influence the media has. Negative or positive, it makes people react with such anger and hatred. The system??? I do not know how it works but maybe that can use an overhaul too.
2-18-2009 @ 1:06PM
Brennan said...Secret Life and Juno are not saying "Go have babies!" They are not encouraging it either. You should watch the show, The Secret Life of The American Teenager sometime. It comes on every monday. on abcFamily. and I love this show, it is not at all saying how fun or easy having a child at a young age is, it shows everyones feelings everyones pain, it shows what the mother, the father, what each person may go through. It truly is a pretty good show. It states how you need to get a job, you need to grow up, you need to decide what is best for the baby. It shows the teen mother almost at a breaking point many times, and shows her realizing its really about the baby.
Just like with the octuplets mom, I understaind where people are coming from saying how she shouldnt have kids because she cant afford them or take care of them, but I also understaind what people mean when they say she should be aloud as many children as she wants, and I agree with both, I agree that it is her life not my life, I understaind we might be paying her way in life right now, and I understaind how you might think she is being greedy and hurting her children but I also understaind how all of this pointing fingers, taking pictures, and complaining we are doing is also hurting the children, it hurts the mom then the children. Yes we all have opinions but when should someones opinion come into your home and follow you around? If we dont want her to have the fame why are we giving it to her? if we dont want her name all over the tv or newsstaind why are you putting it there? Gossip makes a person famous, you talk about someone and there it starts. So she will be around as long as you want her around...
Angelina's lips are real, this mom well I dont know, but is it my place to say hey your lips are fake and I dont like it? no it isnt, those lips arnt hurting me any so why should I bother with them.
I am a teen mom.
I love my son.
I am not on welfare.
My boyfriend works full time and I go to school, and take care of my wonderful amazing son. I do not know how I could controle myself if I had people constantly chasing me judging me and writing about me in newsstainds. how would you feel??
2-15-2009 @ 7:36PM
gaelic said...There are situations when I person does not have the RIGHT to bring children into the world. Bringing children into the world is a responsibility. The parent should have a means of supporting the child(s) and not expecting the taxpayers to do so. Also when the parent is informed by the doctor about the high percentage of health risks for the children. Paying her for media exposure is out of the question; she should not be rewarded for such harmful behaver. Rewarding such behaver would open the flood gates for other disturbed women looking for fame and fortune. During her interview, her mind set never changed. It was all about what she wanted. She never, ever, expressed empathy for her parents who implied they are worn out by her choices. All empathy should go to the children and grandparents not the self-centered mother.
Reply
2-16-2009 @ 12:17PM
Melissa said...Marian:
She is selfish, and the fact that she "creeps out" Angelina should tell everyone something. Yes, women have a right to have as many children as they want, single, married, straight, gay....women that have jobs and the means to take care of those children (like Angelina and other celebrities). This woman gets disabilty payments for her disabled children, and she gets food stamps, and she has talked about being on permanent disability for herself because of her back injury at the mental hospital she worked at....a back injury that she herself says is "aggravated" by pregnancy! Gee, lady, stop having kids then! She just disgusts me, all those babies are at risk of having life long disabilities, or illnesses, and it's her fault, and her doctor's.
Reply
2-19-2009 @ 2:56AM
eric said...whats the number to the clinic that made her able to have all those kids me and my wife need money we are lil poor i want her to have lots of kids so we can get 490$ a month on food stamps and live better we could defentaly use ssi and new cars and house for free plz help me tell me that number i work at mcdonalds trying to provide for me and her i dont want her to work i want her to live good life for free please leave the number we are ready for a free wealthy life
Reply
2-17-2009 @ 10:55AM
pathdesign said...I watched the Ann Curry Interview, (Good Job Ann), and from what I saw, this young women is very bright, has a degree, and her decision to implant was based on forethought. The odds were she had only one more shot to have babies and that she would only have two. The fact that she had all 8 was a miracle so lets not say God was against it if you're a believer. The bottom line is this is news and we all want to follow it so the press are going to take is as far as they can like they will with the young boy who is possibly the father story. If we all can learn from her experience it's worth every dime it may ever cost taxpayers. I object to people who have no education or means of support having too many kids but I don;t see this woman that way at all. She could write a book, work from home. She's got plenty of options. And if she made a mistake, she will be the one to deal with it not society. I see it as sad her family and friends are talking to the press. How many of us would be well represented if that were us and the press could take what they wanted to make the story juicier?
Reply
2-17-2009 @ 11:28AM
JackieReacher said...Regardless of what the odds were, she already had six she couldn't take care of without government help. If she was so intelligent and had so many options, why didn't she take one and establish an income before having more children? You say the woman has a means of support. Where is it? Having an education doesn't make someone smart. And having the **potential** for doing something (great or not) is not the same thing as actually doing it. Rationalize it anyway you like, but choosing to have more children in her ***current*** situaion was a selfish, ill advised and irrational decision.