It was a weekend of joy and celebration for Malian couple Halima Cissé and Abdelkader Arby as their world-famous nonuplets marked their fourth birthday on Sunday, May 4.

The children, who hold the Guinness World Record as the most children delivered at a single birth to survive, celebrated the milestone in a grand style befitting their extraordinary journey.

Born in Morocco in 2021, the nonuplets—four boys (Mohammed VI, Elhadji, Oumar, and Bah) and five girls (Kadidia, Fatouma, Hawa, Adama, and Oumou)—continue to thrive alongside their six-year-old big sister, Arby. The family returned to Mali when the nonuplets were 19 months old after spending an extended period in a Moroccan clinic equipped to support their delicate early development.

Newly released photographs from their fourth birthday showcase the children’s vibrant personalities and healthy growth. The siblings can be seen smiling, posing with their parents, and proudly displaying their Guinness World Records certificate. One of the boys added a humorous touch by sporting a grumpy face in every picture, drawing attention and smiles.

Reflecting on the occasion, proud mother Halima, 29, expressed gratitude for her children’s wellbeing:

“The children are all well, by the grace of God. They have grown so much since their last birthday, and the change is clearly visible in them all. For their 4th birthday, we decided to celebrate in a grandiose way, as a celebrity would!”

Halima’s pregnancy was initially thought to involve seven babies, but two additional babies were discovered after the Malian government arranged for her and her husband to receive care at a specialist clinic in Morocco. All nine children were delivered prematurely at 30 weeks via C-section, with each weighing between 0.5 to 1 kg (1.1–2.2 lb).

While other historical instances of nonuplet births have occurred, the Mali siblings remain the only recorded case where all nine babies have survived infancy—a truly rare and remarkable feat.

The family now resides in Mali, where they continue to receive public admiration and support. Their journey remains a symbol of medical marvel, parental strength, and divine blessing.