MEET MOTHER OF 13 WHO GAVE BIRTH TO QUADRUPLETS AT AGE 65

A 65-year-old mother of 13 kids by 5 different fathers has gone straight into the Guinness book of records as the oldest mother of quadruplets.

Retired English and Russin teacher Annegret Raunigk gave birth to quadruplets, earlier in May after undergoing artificial insemination with a stranger’s semen.

She said she decided to get pregnant again because her 10 year old daughter wanted another brother or sister to play with but she was shocked when the scan showed she was expecting quadruplets.

The babies were born with very low birth weights and Doctors were extremely concerned at the time that the very premature babies would not survive, but have now been given the all clear to go home with their mum.

According to the head of the Neonatology Department at Berlin’s Charite Hospital, Annegret and her four babies are now strong enough to face the outside world.

Annegret’s decision to become pregnant again at such an old age sparked fierce debate across the world, calling into question her morals at wanting to bring a child into the world at such an advanced age

Experts warned that, even if they did pull through, they could suffer lifelong health problems including lung, intestinal, eye and brain complaints.

But Professor Christoph Buhrer has confirmed: ‘All have developed well, they have grown wonderfully in a short time.

‘The children were born through Caesarian section but all four are now as strong and as heavy as it they had been born naturally.’

Annegret was forced to travel to Kiev as doctors in Germany refused to give her IVF treatment, because they were concerned that her body wouldn’t be strong enough to survive the stress of pregnancy and giving birth.

In Ukraine, doctors agreed to use a donated egg and donated sperm to artificially inseminate her – a process which is illegal in Germany.

‘I sleep very little but I know I can take care of them,’ said Annegret, who will move from Berlin to a country home 300 miles west of the city to raise her new brood.

She has always ignored the moral earthquake she has triggered, the gasps of horror from those who say she is selfish, mad or both.

‘Everyone should live as they want to but everyone, it seems, has something to say about this,’ she said, shortly after announcing her pregnancy.

‘This is not about egotism and it is not selfishness. I like children – they keep me young. You get more tolerant the older you get.

This is not about egotism and it is not selfishness. I like children – they keep me young. You get more tolerant the older you get.

‘I would never dream of telling anyone to do this or that. I am looked after, consulted, observed. I am fit and I am ready to have these babies and to care for them.’

Married just once, and the matriarch of a clan of 17 created through five different fathers – not including the donated sperm – she said she doesn’t think much of men and says ‘there aren’t many who would fit the bill’ in helping to raise the new additions.

‘My experience with men was that I never found the right one,’ she said.

Annegret is no stranger to the spotlight: she appeared on the Gunther Jauch show – he is a kind of Noel Edmonds of the Fatherland – back in 2005 with her extended brood after she gave birth to her youngest daughter, Leila, who turned ten this year.

Back then she was celebrated as Germany’s Eldest Mum. Now opinion is divided as to whether she should be regarded as a feminist icon…or a freak.