Her remarkable story, however, has been accompanied by controversy. Suleman underwent in-vitro fertilization (IVF) for all her pregnancies, with Dr. Michael Kamrava overseeing the procedures. In 2008, Kamrava implanted 12 embryos into Suleman. Eight of those embryos developed into live births.
Kamrava denied this, maintaining that he acted on her wishes. Regardless, the California state medical board revoked Kamrava’s license in 2011, citing “gross negligence”, according to Reuters.
Suleman’s fame led to an unconventional career path as she struggled to support her large family. At various times, she worked as a stripper, appeared in an adult film, and took part in boxing matches.
In addition, she posed for a PETA campaign encouraging spaying and neutering animals. Financial hardships persisted, leading Suleman to file for bankruptcy in 2012, citing $1 million in debt, per PEOPLE.
In 2014, her troubles deepened when she was charged with welfare fraud for failing to report $26,000 of income. Suleman pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor, receiving probation, community service, and a mandate to repay the unreported funds.
Despite these struggles, Suleman has since stepped away from the spotlight, choosing a quieter life. In 2018, she revealed she was working full-time as a counselor, occasionally participating in international photoshoots to make ends meet. Public assistance has also helped her support her family.
