Halima Cissé

Halima Cissé is a Malian woman who became an international media sensation in May 2021 when she gave birth to nine children—three girls and six boys—in Casablanca, Morocco. Her case became globally notable as one of the highest-order multiple births ever documented, and her survival along with the viability of most of her children made it a medically significant event. Cissé initially believed she was expecting seven children based on imaging, but the ninth child was discovered during labor. The nonuplets' births drew international medical attention and humanitarian concerns, with various international organizations and medical professionals offering support for the family's care and well-being. Cissé's story brought global awareness to maternal health challenges in West Africa and the medical complexities surrounding extreme multiple births. Her case became a symbol of both medical advancement and the human resilience of mothers in resource-limited settings.