In Nov. 19, 1997, the McCaughey Family made world history when their septuplets were born alive and healthy in Des Moines, Iowa.
Kenny and Bobbi McCaughey’s four boys and three girls became the first known set of surviving septuplets in the world.
The seven siblings defied the odds in more ways than one. Families like the McCaugheys are sometimes pressured to “selectively reduce,” or abort, babies who are multiples because doctors claim it can increase the chances that the other babies will be born healthy. The McCaugheys gave all of their babies a chance to live.
Today, all seven of the septuplets are seniors in high school and preparing for college. The siblings turned 18 on Nov. 19.
Many people saw the septuplets as babies on TV and the cover of Time magazine, but the family has been keeping a lower profile since then – no reality shows or on-going camera appearances for them. The family returned briefly to the spotlight this fall to celebrate the septuplets’ lives after they defied all odds.
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“We wanted to be a normal family,” their father, Kenny, told The Today Show in a new interview.
“The memories, the joys, the heartaches that have happened, it’s very special,” their mom, Bobbi, added.
The family received a lot of help from family and friends after the septuplets were born – help with food, diapers, potty training and much more; but most of all, the family’s faith has helped them throughout the years, Bobbi said.
“We have a super-strong faith that is the rock we’ve had to stand on,” Bobbi said.
When asked about the worst part of being a septuplet, the teens couldn’t come up with an answer.
“I’ve enjoyed all of it,” said Kelsey, one of the sisters. “There hasn’t been a worst part.”
“[The best thing is] just having a big family, a lot of brothers and sisters to hang out with you,” said one of the brothers, Kenny. “You’re never alone. There’s always someone to talk to and hang out with. That’s what I think is the best.”
Watch the family’s endearing new interview below:
