Nine Miracles: Halima Cissé and the World’s Only Surviving Nonuplets
On May 4, 2021, a single birth in a Casablanca clinic did more than just expand a family. It shattered a world record and captured the attention of parents around the world. Halima Cissé, a Malian woman from Timbuktu, and her husband, Abdelkader Arby, became the parents of the world’s first-ever set of nonuplets (nine babies), all surviving a single birth.
The unthinkable
Halima Cissé’s pregnancy was extraordinary from the start. Initially, ultrasounds suggested she would give birth to seven babies. Due to the extreme risks associated with such a high-order multiple pregnancy, the Malian government ensured Cissé was flown from Mali to the Ain Borja Clinic in Casablanca, Morocco, for specialised medical care.
The shock came during the delivery. On the day the babies were born, Cissé, then 25 years old, was taken into surgery where doctors performed a caesarean section. It was during this procedure that they made an astounding discovery: there were not seven babies, but nine.
In total, Cissé delivered five girls and four boys!
Born at 30 weeks, the nonuplets all survived. Their incredible survival earned the family an official title from Guinness World Records for the most children delivered at a single birth to survive.
Back home
After their birth, the infants received intensive care and remained in the Moroccan clinic until December 2022, receiving care from the dedicated Ain Borja team. The family, which also includes the couple’s older daughter, then returned home.
Life in Bamako, Mali, has brought its own set of remarkable challenges and triumphs. As the children celebrated their third birthday in 2024, their father, Abdelkader Arby, spoke of the immense joy and pride he feels watching his children grow up.
He acknowledges the difficulties of managing the family budget for 11 children, but the overall sentiment remains one of gratitude for his nine miracles.
Related: Choosing Not to Have Children
