Originally published: 6 November 2012
Dubbed “octomum” after giving birth to octuplets in 2009, Nadya Suleman is rarely out of the headlines.
But, incredibly, Nadya claims she’s been celibate for 13 years – her children were all conceived through a sperm donor – and reveals she has no interest in dating, hates male attention and has to work hard at “disguising her beauty” to put off men.
“I get way too much male attention, but I won’t date until the octuplets are 18 – I live for them now,” she insists.
'I've been celibate for 13 years and plan to remain so until the octuplets are 18'
And, despite admitting caring for 14 kids alone is a struggle, she says she gets no help apart from when friends or her mum visit a few times a week. And Nadya is adamant she isn’t looking for a man.
“I’ve been celibate for 13 years and plan to remain so until the octuplets are 18. I’ve only ever slept with two men,” she reveals. “The first was when I was 20 – we stayed in touch and he’s been my sperm donor, but we don’t talk now. The second was when I was 21. He was my boyfriend for five years. We tried for kids, but couldn’t conceive.”
She adds: “I wouldn’t rule out a relationship in the future. But now, when men look at me, I look away and they know not to approach me. I know I’m beautiful – I don’t need a man to tell me that.”
Meanwhile, Nadya maintains she’s coping perfectly well with her brood alone. Claiming she doesn’t take state handouts and relies solely on funds from publicity interviews and photo shoots – although she’s eight months in arrears on her mortgage and facing eviction from her four-bed home – she completely denies previous interviews in which she was quoted as “hating” babies, describing her older kids as “animals” and regretting her decision to have so many.
“I love looking after them, they’re the least of my stresses. I’m such a good mother,” she boasts. “I’m so loving and my kids are so happy. There’s never been a time I’ve regretted having so many.”
'I wouldn't rule out a relationship in the future. But now, when men look at me, I look away and they know not to approach me'
Incredibly, she adds: “I can’t believe how fortunate they are, too. I’d love to be an octuplet – their camaraderie and bond is amazing. They look out for each other, they’re so lucky.”
And she insists there’s little rivalry between them because her attention is not divided.
“My love just grows. And I’ve trained them so well, they can brush their own teeth, dress themselves and scrub each other’s backs – they’re so independent,” she explains, adding that the older kids help with the housework, giving her time to do the family’s five loads of washing a day. “It’s not chaotic,” she insists. “They’re very quiet and obedient and they’re well-behaved and smart.”
She adds: “The kids have structure and discipline and only eat healthily – they don’t know what candy is! I’ve done a really great job with them – I don’t get any credit.”