Octuplets Describe What It’s Been Like Growing Up Without a Father (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

In the new Lifetime docuseriesConfessions of Octomom, the details of the paternity ofNatalie “Nadya” Suleman’s 14 kids, including her history-making octuplets, who wereconceived via IVFwith the sperm of an anonymous donor, are set to be revealed.That said, thenow 16-year-old octupletstell PEOPLE the topic of their father was never a very important one in their household. “I don’t think we really thought about that,” says Maliyah. Adds her brother Jeremiah, “Mom filled in as the father role, and then after that Elijah,” he says of his older brother. Maliyah agrees, “I think Elijah filled that role. As we grew up.“If you askNariyah, who her siblings call the leader of the pack, “I personally think that our mom, she takes over the father role and the mother role and she is fully capable of doing that,” she says. “She’s been an amazing mother and father figure for our whole lives.“Top row: Josiah, Natalie; Middle Row: Isaiah, Maliya, Nariya, Noah; Bottom Row: Makai, Jonah, Jeremiah.Amanda FriedmanStill, Suleman’s youngest children have had questions over the years. “I’m honest, I’m very transparent with everyone,” she says. “I told them that they come from an anonymous frozen donor and I bought one, it was one dad. And I saw them actually, I saw the creation in the lab in the petri dish. And then they joke, “Oh, sowe’re test tube babies?” I’m like, “Yeah, but you’re more than that.” But we joke about it.“She adds, “We delve into a lot of the details of the donors and how they feel and their experiences in the show.“Nadya Suleman, rear center, poses with some of her children at their new home in Palmdale, Calif. From left, back row, are Makai, Noah, Suleman, Nariyah, on her lap and Isaiah; from left front, Jonah, Josiah, Maliyah and Jeremiah.AP Photo/Antelope Valley Press, Ron SiddleWhen it comes to her older children, also conceived via IVF using the sperm of Suleman’s platonic friend, they have long known who their donor is.“I was never hiding that,” she says. “They can make a decision if they want in the future or now or whenever they want to to meet him. My oldest sons have absolutely no interest because they say it’d be like meeting a stranger. They may change their mind in 10 years.“Isaiah, Noah.Amanda FriedmanEven through media scrutiny, she’s always kept his identity a secret from the world. “25 years ago or more, when I told the donor that I’m going to keep him private, I didn’t have to say it twice. I said it once. I’m loyal,” she says. “So there’s no way I was going to disclose his name and let him be dragged through the mud. His whole life destroyed just for money? And I was offered money, quite a bit, to disclose his name.“But Suleman teases that in the new docuseries, “we delve into a lot of the details of the donors and how they feel and their experiences.“I Was Octomompremiered March 8, whileConfessions of Octomomairs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET, both on Lifetime.

In the new Lifetime docuseriesConfessions of Octomom, the details of the paternity ofNatalie “Nadya” Suleman’s 14 kids, including her history-making octuplets, who wereconceived via IVFwith the sperm of an anonymous donor, are set to be revealed.

That said, thenow 16-year-old octupletstell PEOPLE the topic of their father was never a very important one in their household. “I don’t think we really thought about that,” says Maliyah. Adds her brother Jeremiah, “Mom filled in as the father role, and then after that Elijah,” he says of his older brother. Maliyah agrees, “I think Elijah filled that role. As we grew up.”

If you askNariyah, who her siblings call the leader of the pack, “I personally think that our mom, she takes over the father role and the mother role and she is fully capable of doing that,” she says. “She’s been an amazing mother and father figure for our whole lives.”

Top row: Josiah, Natalie; Middle Row: Isaiah, Maliya, Nariya, Noah; Bottom Row: Makai, Jonah, Jeremiah.Amanda Friedman

Amanda Friedman

Still, Suleman’s youngest children have had questions over the years. “I’m honest, I’m very transparent with everyone,” she says. “I told them that they come from an anonymous frozen donor and I bought one, it was one dad. And I saw them actually, I saw the creation in the lab in the petri dish. And then they joke, “Oh, sowe’re test tube babies?” I’m like, “Yeah, but you’re more than that.” But we joke about it.”

She adds, “We delve into a lot of the details of the donors and how they feel and their experiences in the show.”

Nadya Suleman, rear center, poses with some of her children at their new home in Palmdale, Calif. From left, back row, are Makai, Noah, Suleman, Nariyah, on her lap and Isaiah; from left front, Jonah, Josiah, Maliyah and Jeremiah.AP Photo/Antelope Valley Press, Ron Siddle

AP Photo/Antelope Valley Press, Ron Siddle

When it comes to her older children, also conceived via IVF using the sperm of Suleman’s platonic friend, they have long known who their donor is.

“I was never hiding that,” she says. “They can make a decision if they want in the future or now or whenever they want to to meet him. My oldest sons have absolutely no interest because they say it’d be like meeting a stranger. They may change their mind in 10 years.”

Isaiah, Noah.Amanda Friedman

Even through media scrutiny, she’s always kept his identity a secret from the world. “25 years ago or more, when I told the donor that I’m going to keep him private, I didn’t have to say it twice. I said it once. I’m loyal,” she says. “So there’s no way I was going to disclose his name and let him be dragged through the mud. His whole life destroyed just for money? And I was offered money, quite a bit, to disclose his name.”

But Suleman teases that in the new docuseries, “we delve into a lot of the details of the donors and how they feel and their experiences.”

I Was Octomompremiered March 8, whileConfessions of Octomomairs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET, both on Lifetime.

source: people.com