If you were around in the early 1980s, you’d remember the Walton sextuplets. These six baby girls made headlines in 1983 when they became the first-ever surviving set of all-female sextuplets. While there were three other groups of sextuplets before them, their story was unique and made them overnight celebrities from the crib. Although the media portrayed everything about their birth with rose-colored glasses, it was not an easy road for parents Janet and Graham Walton from Liverpool, England.
For years, the couple had tried to have children. They were desperate to start a family. And so they resorted to fertility treatments. However, that did not seem to work either. They underwent twelve rounds of treatments with no luck – until Janet became pregnant with six little girls.
As soon as the couple learned that Janet was pregnant with six babies, they knew they were in for more than they bargained for. They had wanted a family, and they got it in spades!
Because she was carrying six lives inside of her, Janet was admitted to the hospital where she kept under close medical supervision. She had a high-risk pregnancy and needed to be watched very carefully.
Like a champion, Janet carried her six little girls until the 31st week of pregnancy. That’s when she gave birth to all six baby girls on November 18, 1983. They were born in the following order: Hannah, Ruth, Luci, Kate, Jennie, and Sarah. Shortly after their birth, they were deemed healthy and then introduced to the world as the Walton sextuplets.
During the first two years of the little girls’ lives, the Waltons used up 10,000 diapers just trying to keep the babies clean. And the parents only slept a few hours each night. It was tough.
“We lived through those early years in a blur,” Janet said. “The only regret is that there wasn’t enough time to enjoy them as much as we’d have liked.”
With six babies to care for, Janet was always running around and so was Graham.
Now that it has been thirty-four years since the Walton sextuplets were born, they have made it back into the headlines. People want an update. Their fans want to know what has become of the girls. And the girls are all doing very well and living their lives to the fullest. Their parents could not be happier and prouder.
Here’s an outline of what they have achieved.
Hannah has earned multiple degrees and worked as a schoolteacher.
Kate holds down a career in human resources.
Luci is part of the crew on a major airline.
Jennie owns a sweet shop.
Ruth is engaged and has a job at a call center.
The youngest, Sarah, has a job at a medical center and gave birth to the first grandbaby in the family, Jorgie, on October 7, 2014.
The Walton sextuplets are doing very well. But Janet and Graham have some wise words to share with Sarah, who complains when her one baby wakes up at night. Hopefully, she listens to their wise advice.