In 1997, the world’s first surviving septuplets were born to Kenny and Bobbi McCaughey in Iowa. Born 9 weeks premature, the babies, Kenny Jr., Alexis, Natalie, Kelsey, Nathan, Brandon, and Joel, gained worldwide attention. They appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and met Bill Clinton on their first birthday.
The family received donations, including a large home, a van, and college scholarships for the septuplets. Despite this, their parents worked hard, growing their own vegetables to help with the costs. Alexis and Nathan were diagnosed with cerebral palsy, with Nathan undergoing surgery in 2005 to improve his walking.
The septuplets graduated high school and attended various colleges. Four went to Hannibal-LaGrange University, while others stayed closer to home or enlisted in the Army. College offered them independence, as they were always together growing up.
In recent years, the siblings have pursued diverse careers: Kelsey majors in public relations, Alexis wants to teach, Nathan studies computer information systems, and Joel aspires to work in cyber security. Natalie is studying athletic training, and Brandon got married in 2019. Their bond remains strong, with Natalie saying, “We’re not just the seven septuplets. We’re becoming our own people.”
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