In 1997, Kenny and Bobbi McCaughey welcomed the world’s first set of septuplets in Iowa, U.S. Their remarkable arrival, occurring nine weeks early, made headlines globally, leading to a flood of interview requests for the new parents.
To mark their first birthday, the family appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, where each child was presented with their own birthday cake and had the opportunity to meet former President Bill Clinton.
The septuplets—Kenny Jr., Alexis, Natalie, Kelsey, Nathan, Brandon, and Joel—kept their parents, who also had an older daughter, extremely busy. According to Obsev.com, the babies went through an average of 52 diapers and 42 bottles of milk daily.
The McCaugheys received numerous donations to assist with their growing family, including a spacious 5,500 square foot home, a van, a year’s supply of Kraft macaroni and cheese, diapers for the first two years, and full college scholarships for any state university in Iowa, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Despite the support, the couple worked diligently to manage the expenses of raising eight children, even starting a vegetable garden to help with costs.
Two of the septuplets, Alexis and Nathan, were diagnosed with cerebral palsy and needed walkers for mobility. In 2005, Nathan underwent back surgery to enhance his walking abilities and has since learned to navigate without a walker.
All the septuplets graduated from high school and pursued higher education: Natalie, Kelsey, Nathan, and Joel accepted scholarships to Hannibal-LaGrange University in Missouri, while Kenny and Alexis opted for Des Moines Area Community College. Brandon chose to enlist in the United States Army.
The siblings who completed their college degrees this spring shared that their time in college marked their initial experience of independence.
Kelsey mentioned that moving away for college has been a significant growth opportunity for them, as all five siblings are experiencing true independence for the first time.
“Throughout our childhood, we were inseparable,” Kelsey explained to the Herald-Whig.
“Whatever activities we engaged in or places we visited, we were always together,” Kelsey continued, who studied public relations and is now looking to pursue a career in the media.
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I believe that attending HLGU has provided us with the opportunity to gain independence, showcase our unique talents, and explore our interests in depth as we shape our future careers. We are more than just the seven septuplets; we are evolving into our own individuals.
In 2015, our older sister Mikayla tied the knot, making us aunts and uncles for the first time with the arrival of her son. Natalie was the first of the septuplets to marry in May 2019, followed by our brother Brandon, who got married just four months later.
Natalie now aspires to pursue graduate studies to become an athletic trainer, as she shared with the Today show.
Alexis has focused on early childhood education and aims to work in an elementary school. She has also participated in numerous beauty pageants for children with special needs, winning the Teen Miss Dreams Made True title in 2013.
Nathan is pursuing a degree in computer information systems, alongside his brother Joel, who aspires to join Google’s cyber security team. Meanwhile, Nathan finds joy in assembling computers.
“Growing up with six siblings, we’re not just the same age; we’re also the best of friends,” Natalie shared with Today. “We truly appreciate the bond we share.”
These seven siblings are considered miracle babies, and it brings me great joy to see them thriving in life.
I wish them all the success and happiness, no matter which direction they take in their journeys. Please feel free to share.
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