The Bizarre But Absolutely True Story Of A Woman Who Birthed 69 Babies
October 02, 2023
The Guinness World Record for most children born to 1 mom goes to the wife of Russian peasant Feodor Vassilyev. She birthed 69 babies total in her lifetime! It sounds unbelievable. But here's her bizarre, yet true story.
When Michelle Duggar had 17 kids, her family got their own TV show: 17 Kids And Counting. Of course, then it became 19 Kids And Counting after Michelle birthed two more babies. But as it turns out, the modern-day Duggars have nothing on the 18th-century Russian Vassilyevs.
RELATED: 65-Year-Old Mother Of 13 Decides To Get Pregnant, Then Gives Birth To Quadruplets
History records Feodor Vassilyev as a farmer in Shuya, Russia during the 1700's. But it's his wife who caught the attention of the Guinness Book of World Records. She's recognized as the most prolific mother ever after birthing 69 babies, snagging the world record for most children born to one mother.
There's some question as to whether or not Mrs. Vassilyev's real name is known, but some sources call her Valentina. And it's reported that between the years of 1725 to 1765, she gave birth to four sets of quadruplets, seven sets of triplets, and 16 pairs of twins. That's 69 babies total, with 67 living beyond infancy!
The Math Behind 1 Mom And 69 Babies
4 x 4 = 16
7 x 3 = 21
16 x 2 = 32
----------
27 births, 69 children
Guinness Records Specialists do suggest taking the exact number of babies with a grain of salt, given that 18th-century Russian record keeping could be off just a bit. However, they also point out that these numbers, while extreme, are actually in the realm of possibility.
Let's take another look at the Duggars as a modern-day comparison.
A Rare, Yet Probable Case
The Duggars had their first child in 1988 when Michelle would have been 21. Soon after, Michelle had a miscarriage where the couple feared birth control may have played a role. That's when the Christian couple abandoned birth control altogether and completely surrendered to the will of God. They decided to let Him determine their number of children.
Michelle Duggar gave birth 17 times (twice with twins) over a period of 21 and a half years. So, considering the likelihood that Valentina was even younger when she began bearing children, it's possible she could have had 27 pregnancies during her fertile years.
Researchers also point to the possibility that Valentina may have had a genetic predisposition for hyperovulation. This is where a woman releases multiple eggs in one cycle, greatly increasing the odds of multiples.
Valentina's 27 pregnancies is certainly incredible. But as an equally interesting side note, her husband, Feodor, went on to have even more children!
RELATED: 15 Bizarre Stories That Couldn’t Possibly Be True (But Absolutely Are)
Records say Feodor later remarried. And his second wife gave birth to six pairs of twins and two sets of triplets, making for 18 children in 8 pregnancies. That means Feodor fathered 87 children total in his lifetime!
18-Century Documents Supporting The World Record
Indeed, this was considered a jaw-dropping feat even then and supposedly the Monastery of Nikolsk reported it to the Moscow government in 1782. And when the French Academy looked into the authenticity, supposedly the Imperial Academy of St. Petersburg told them no verification was needed. Apparently, the sons and daughters of the Vassilyevs lived in Moscow and received government assistance to help support the huge family.
Sadly, these records did not include any confirmed photographs of the Vassilyev family. The photograph included in this article began circulating with this bizarre story, but no one has been able to confirm it actually depicts Feodor, Valentina, and their children. Instead, it serves as an illustrative example only.
Throughout the years, another photograph became affiliated with this story by mistake.
However, the black and white photograph is actually of Joseph F. Smith from an article about polygamy published in the Utah Historical Quarterly.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Joanna Gaines Opens Up About The Gift Of Her Unexpected Pregnancy
The story of Valentina's 69 babies is certainly mind-blowing. But God has certainly designed the human body to do incredible things and all things are possible through Him!
LISTEN: Wife Paced Praying with a Crucifix While Husband Survived 9/11 | Couple Stops As They Hear Cries for Help
h/t: Guinness World Records / Mental Floss
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Anything Goes
Mel is the senior writer for GodUpdates, finding, writing and sharing Christian, uplifting, and health-related stories from around the world. Mel has a passion for writing and graduated with a degree in English from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. When she’s not researching and writing stories, Mel is very active in her church. You can usually find Mel playing board games with her husband and two young girls, giving someone a hug, or hunting down a good cup of coffee!
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for God to Lead Us in Voting on Election Day - Your Daily Prayer - November 4
With all the controversy and issues surrounding American voting over the years, many individuals, including some Christians, may wonder if it even matters if they vote. Still, as Christians, we are called to vote in a way that honors, pleases, and reflects God’s ways.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for God to Lead Us in Voting on Election Day - Your Daily Prayer - November 4
With all the controversy and issues surrounding American voting over the years, many individuals, including some Christians, may wonder if it even matters if they vote. Still, as Christians, we are called to vote in a way that honors, pleases, and reflects God’s ways.
Past Stories
- Donny Osmond Sees the 'End of the Tunnel' Coming After Performing for Over 6 Decades
- An Iguana Hitches a Ride on a Garbage Truck in Tennessee, Now Trying to Find Its Owner
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's Dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
Top Music Videos
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson’s Powerful Live Performance of 'The Cross'
Brad Stine Has Issues Brad Stine’s Hilarious Take on Life After the Wedding
Cody Carnes Cody Carnes - He Who Is To Come
Oak Ridge Boys 'Jesus Is Coming Soon' The Oak Ridge Boys
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.