The record for the most children born to one woman belongs to Valentina Vassilyeva of Shuya, Russia, who gave birth to 16 pairs of twins, seven sets of triplets, and four sets of quadruplets between 1725 and 1765. In 27 birthing events, she gave birth to 69 children, 67 of whom survived infancy.
After Valentina’s death, her husband, Feodor, remarried and fathered 18 more children. Of his 87 children, 82 survived infancy.
While some doubt has been cast upon the veracity of this information, the Guinness Book of World Records investigated and considered it credible enough to confer “Most Prolific Mother Ever” upon the first Mrs. Vassilyeva.
Erma Bombeck on Marriage and Parenting
“It seems I have spent a lifetime of mouthing mechanically, ‘Say thank you. Sit up straight. Use your napkin. Close your mouth when you chew. Don’t lean back in your chair.’ Just when I finally got my husband squared away, the kids came along.” — Erma Bombeck
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