Many people know within their souls that they're destined to be parents. They dream of the day they get to welcome their first child into the world, and they plan their lives as mothers and fathers. But sometimes life throws a curveball, and Mia and Rozonno McGhee definitely encountered many of them during their journey. As they struggled to conceive, they decided to go down a different route that featured so many twists and turns they couldn't quite believe where they eventually ended up: as proud parents to sextuplets! Read on for their incredible journey, and where the sextuplets are now!
The Start of Their Story
To truly understand the unique and beautiful story of Mia and Rozonno McGhee, we need to go back to the start of their journey. And it's safe to say that their love story is what many people spend their lives waiting for. The Columbus, Ohio natives first set eyes on each other three decades ago at high school, and while some doubted their high school romance, both Mia and Rozonno knew it was meant to be. It was love at first sight.
Their love was what Mia had always wanted, and she felt so lucky to meet her person so early in her life. She knew that Rozonno was her future, and she hoped that they'd one day be able to start a family.
Shaped by Shared Experiences
So what was it that drew Mia and Rozonno together? While they shared a mutual attraction for each other, their personalities truly won each other over. The icing on the cake was when they realized that they shared some of the same difficult experiences. Both Mia and Rozonno were brought up by a struggling single parent, and they were both spurred on to search for success and happiness by their early struggles.
It was this shared experience that also inspired the couple to have a big family. They wanted to give their eventual children the upbringing they hadn't had. It sounded easy, but it was anything but.
Wanting to Do It Right
As their high school romance blossomed, both Mia and Rozonno knew that they were meant to be together. And while their friends and family expected them to break up as they made their way through their teenage years, the couple proved everyone wrong when they went strength to strength. They knew they were soulmates, and they were determined to push through the bad times and come out on top. But Mia wanted to do it right.
After her single mom battled to raise her by herself, Mia knew she wanted to bring children into a stable household. So, she knew she wanted to marry Rozonno before having children.
Trying to Conceive
Eager to solidify their love and start their lives together, Mia and Rozonno didn't waste any time getting married. They were just 18 and 19 years old when they exchanged their vows, and first on their married agenda was to get started on making a family. Mia wanted nothing more than to become a mother, and she hoped that their young age would work in their favor. Unfortunately, they struggled to conceive naturally.
The couple tried for three years to get pregnant, but the stars just didn't seem to align. Of course, each negative pregnancy test dealt a tough blow, but it wasn't the only option they had.
Turning to IVF
Although the McGhees had hoped to conceive naturally, they weren't going to give up on their plan to become parents. They wanted nothing more than to welcome a baby into the world, so they looked into alternative options in 2010. Every option had its pros and cons, but the couple eventually settled on the idea of IVF. The only problem was that just one round of IVF treatment would set them back thousands of dollars. Could they afford it?
The couple had no idea if the IVF would work, but they knew they had to at least try. They spent months painstakingly saving up every last cent they earned and eventually had enough to afford one round. But would it work?
Finally Some Good News
Unfortunately, the first round of IVF was unsuccessful - but this process sparked a fire inside the couple. Mia and Rozonno decided to try a few more times, and eventually, their persistence and patience paid off. They discovered they were pregnant, and they were over the moon! They couldn't wait to see their baby during their first scan, but it was during this scan that they were dealt with another surprise.
Although the couple was expecting one child, they couldn't believe their ears when they were told that they were expecting twins. It was a blessing they had never anticipated, but one they were so excited about.
Getting Themselves Ready
Of course, the couple was warned about the fact that IVF treatment can result in multiple viable embryos, but they were still shocked by the news. They changed their mindset to get themselves ready for not one, but two newborn babies, and they attempted to get their house ready. They decorated the nursery, bought diapers and blankets, and baby-proofed every inch of their home. They wanted to be as prepared as possible!
With all this sorted, all they had left to do was wait until the babies were ready to be born. But before too long, the couple was dealt with a devastating blow that left them in pieces.
A Tragic Outcome
Sadly, tragedy struck the couple when Mia went into preterm labor. With doctors on standby, the couple made their way to the hospital, hoping and praying that their twins would be ok with the help of medical professionals. But unfortunately, neither baby survived. As you can imagine, the couple was heartbroken by the news - but Mia was inconsolable. Her body had been through a mental and physical ordeal, and she didn't know how to cope.
Although she had her husband by her side, Mia didn't know what to do next. She wanted to be a mother more than anything, but could she put herself through the IVF process again?
Time to Try Again
The death of Mia and Rozzono's twins will stay with the couple forever, but after a heartbreaking period of grieving, they eventually decided to go through with another round of IVF. The loss had been a tragic event neither of them expected, but they knew that they had to try again. They were destined to be parents, and IVF had taken once before. So, they hoped that it would take again.
Their decision paid off, and just a short while after their 10th wedding anniversary, the couple discovered they were pregnant again. And once again, they were pregnant with multiples - but not twins!
The Most Unexpected News
You know what they say; you wait ages for a bus, and then multiple come along at once! And Mia and Rozzono soon realized this for themselves when they went to the doctor's office. As with their last pregnancy, the couple was prepared to be told that they were expecting twins or triplets. In their minds, they were more than ready to welcome a couple of children all at once.
So, you can imagine the surprise when the couple was told that they were having more than two or three. As the doctor told them the exact number, their jaws hit the floor. They just couldn't believe it!
Seven's the Lucky Number
Yes, the doctor told Mia and Rozonno that they were expecting seven children! And while the couple was happy to be pregnant, there was no doubt about the fact that they were overwhelmed. They didn't know anyone who had welcomed seven children at once, and they knew that it was going to be hard work. But as they were both from big families, they loved the idea of having seven children growing up together.
Mia explained that "After losing the first twins, having multiples made me extra passionate." But just as the couple was unpacking their excitement, they were dealt another devastating loss that shook them to the core.
From Seven to Six
As they had learned as such with their twins, Mia and Rozzono knew that multiple babies are normally born prematurely. But when it gets into the high multiples, the chances of all babies surviving start to dwindle. Sadly, the couple discovered this first-hand once again when one of their seven children was stillborn. It was another devastating blow for Mia, but she knew she needed to push forward to save her other six children.
She continued to push through the labor, with the loss of another child bearing down on her. But she used this as a catalyst, and to be strong for the rest of the children. But would they suffer another loss?
Staying Strong
The odds of carrying six healthy babies to term are very rare, and Mia mentally and physically prepared herself to make tough decisions about her children if she needed to. But throughout it all, she continued to stay optimistic with her husband by her side, and they decided to embrace whatever life threw at them. At the end of the day, they wanted to be parents - no matter how that came about.
Of course, the doctors were also concerned about the health and well-being of Mia and the remaining six babies. But it seems as though Mia's optimism and faith paid off, as the hospital room was soon full of babies crying!
Welcoming the New Additions
On June 9, 2010, Mia and Rozzono's lives changed forever. It was on this day that they welcomed four boys and two girls into their lives, and became the first couple in Columbus, Ohio to welcome sextuplets! After a little bit of deliberation, they decided to call their miracle babies Rozonno Jr., Josiah, Isaac, Elijah, Olivia, and Madison. In their eyes, they were the perfect names for their perfect babies.
Mia confessed that "When I first met the babies I noticed the different cries. Even to this day, I can tell who's crying. But even their personalities were immediately obvious." But these new additions were just the start of the McGhee's adventures.
Making Every Moment Count
Even though Mia and Rozzono had their hands full with their sextuplets, there was no doubt about the fact that they were grateful. The nights were long and the days were busy, but they were over the moon that their dream had finally come true. They didn't just have one tiny mind to love and mold; they had six! They knew that they wanted to make every single moment count.
The parents also knew that their kids would grow up fast, which is why they wanted to freeze themselves in time with the help of a photo shoot. So, they booked a professional photographer to do the job!
Taking the Perfect Photo
Although Mia and Rozzono assumed that their photo shoot would be hectic and tiresome, their miracle babies were naturals in front of the camera - and that was all thanks to their chosen pose! For the photo shoot, Rozzono took off his shirt and laid himself down on the floor. The six babies were then placed around him, and it didn't take long for them to fall asleep against their daddy's skin!
With Mia looking lovingly down upon her husband and her beautiful babies, the photo was taken. And while they assumed this photo would just be a great memory, they could never have imagined what happened next.
Becoming a Viral Sensation
When the McGhees shared their adorable snap on social media, they relished in the beautiful comments from friends and family. But before too long, the photo was shared by others - and before they knew it, they had become a viral sensation! Their remarkable photo was everywhere, and everyone wanted to know more about the family who was blessed with six children. Soon enough, TV stations reached out to the family.
Their story was picked up by the likes of WBNS-TV and Good Morning America, but this was nothing compared to the interest of one particular person. It was this person who gave the McGhees their chance at stardom.
Getting Oprah's Attention
As soon as famed talk show host Oprah Winfrey saw the photo of the McGhees online, she knew she needed to reach out to them. So, she asked her team to find the family and offer them the chance to appear on her show. As huge fans of Oprah, Mia and Rozzono didn't need to think twice about the offer. They were gracious in their acceptance, and couldn't wait to appear on the small screen.
But while the family assumed that Oprah wanted them for a small segment on her show, they soon learned that the talk show host had bigger plans for them. Much bigger plans!
Bombarded With Donations
As soon as the McGhee family appeared on Oprah's show, viewers around the world fell in love with them. They were amazed by their story and they could see how much Mia and Rozzono loved their sextuplets. But viewers could also understand how difficult it must have been for the couple to look after six babies at once, both financially and emotionally. Because of this, the couple found themselves bombarded with donations.
The family was gifted toys, diapers, clothing, car seats, and so much more from the viewers of Oprah's show. But Oprah herself wasn't done with the family just yet. She had even more surprises up her sleeves.
Even More Gifts
With fame, fortune, and influence on her side, Oprah was able to offer the McGhees life-changing gifts. Not only did she donate $250,000 to the family, but she also enlisted the help of Celine Dion to surprise Mia and Rozzono with a honeymoon to Las Vegas! And while these gifts were more than the couple could have ever asked for, Oprah had one last opportunity she wanted to run by the whole family.
Oprah knew that the world was interested in their family, and she knew that the McGhees would benefit from a little more financial freedom. So, she offered them the chance to star in their very own reality show with her production company!
Their Own Reality Show?
With raising six children on their plate already, Oprah understood if the couple wanted to turn down the opportunity to star in a reality show. However, the McGhees surprised them with their answer; they would do it! Before meeting the talk show host, Mia hadn't quite understood how their story could help or inspire other families around the world. And with this new knowledge, she wanted to do the show for their fans.
Mia explained that "It really inspired us to want to do a reality show and we do feel like we have a story to tell that can help other people." But what did Rozonno think about it all?
Rozonno Was on Board
Thankfully, Rozonno agreed with his wife. He knew how unique and beautiful their story of parenthood was, and he wanted to share their joy and their story with those who were perhaps going through their own struggles. He confessed that "It made us feel good to know that people wanted to continue on in their journey to have children because they saw that we can do it."
With everyone's permission, the TV show was a go - and in 2012 6 Little McGhees made its way onto everyone's screens. But the network and the family were on tenterhooks, as they had no idea how the show would be received.
The Success of 6 Little McGhees
6 Little McGhees was unlike anything the public had ever seen before. Some viewers were bemused by their chaotic lives, while others were inspired by their fertility struggles in the past. But more than anything, fans loved how open and honest Mia and Rozzono were about life with their sextuplets. They didn't sugarcoat anything and gave viewers a first-hand look at raising multiples. Yes, it was an instant hit with fans!
Fans were particularly blown away by how Mia and Rozzono juggled their work/life balance, and especially how Mia could change six diapers in less than 10 minutes! But two years later, everything changed.
Time for Growing Up McGhee
After two years of 6 Little McGhees with Oprah's production company, viewers learned that it was time for a change. Mia, Rozzono, and their six toddlers were picked up for another show with a new network - and before too long Growing Up McGhee found its way onto our screens. By this point, the sextuplets were walking, talking, and showcasing their personalities. However, it was all proving to be too much for Mia.
Mia was finding it difficult to manage a full-time job with being a mom. In the end, she decided to quit her job and stay home with the kids, with their day-to-day life coming to our screens through Growing Up McGhee.
Putting the Real in Reality Show
One of the things fans of Growing Up McGhee loved more than anything was how real the McGhees were. There was no denying that Mia and Rozzono were blessed with the chance to become parents, but they also weren't expecting to have six children. Because of this, fans appreciated the fact that the parents didn't shy away from the hard parts of parenting. They kept it real and kept it authentic.
Even the kids were likable and natural on air. After growing up with cameras around them almost 24/7, they didn't play up for the camera. Filming was just another day for them!
Taking One Day at a Time
During filming, Mia and Rozzono were aware of the fact that they weren't providing the most entertaining content on television - which is why they stayed realistic in terms of their show. They wanted to be authentically themselves and would deal with the possibility of their show ending when it came to it. After all, their children were their first priority, and they didn't want anything to get in the way of that.
Mia confessed that it was important for her to "take it one day at a time," as parenting threw new challenges at her every single day. But in the back of her mind, she was always thinking... what's next?
Sharing Some Tips
Despite their own reservations about the show, Growing Up McGhee continued to be a success for the couple and their sextuplets. Fans were constantly reaching out to the couple on social media, asking for advice and tips on parenting. They wanted to know how they managed their time, how they kept the kids busy, how they raised them to be so polite, and so much more. And before too long, Rozzono was ready to respond.
The only tip Rozzono wanted to share with the world was "You don't have to be perfect to be a parent," and fans loved this realistic response. So did Mia, which is why she wanted to do something special for her husband.
Recreating Their Famous Photo
As well as celebrating her husband and the love he gave to their whole family, Mia also wanted to celebrate how far they had come over the years. One viral photo had changed their lives in so many different ways, which is why she decided to get her family together to recreate that same photo! They hired the same photographer, they went in the same studio, and they posed in the exact same way.
With the sextuplets almost ready to celebrate their sixth birthdays, the photo was a perfect memory to recapture. The finished product was stunning, and once again it went viral online!
Having Their Hands Full
The finished photo recreation was the perfect way to remember how far they had come over the years. There was once a time when Mia and Rozzono wondered whether they'd be able to have kids. So, to be able to celebrate their sextuplet's sixth birthday in such a way was truly special. Sure, the couple had their hands full with their brood, but they wouldn't want their lives any other way.
In fact, while many couples would break under the pressure of sextuplets, Mia and Rozzono claimed to have only grown stronger over the years. That's why they decided to do something special in 2017.
Renewing Their Vows
In 2017, as the couple marveled over their life with sextuplets and a reality show, Mia and Rozzono came to a decision. They finally felt as though they had everything pieced together, which is why they wanted to address something that had plagued them for years. As they got married so young, they didn't have an expensive or extravagant wedding. And Mia wanted to change that, so they decided to plan another!
That year, the couple took their family on a much-needed vacation to Turks & Caicos so that they could renew their vows in paradise. Amazingly, this moment also took place during the season finale of Growing Up McGhee.
The Older the Better?
Although the family left our screens shortly after the renewal of their vows, fans have continued to follow the family on social media. The McGhees and the sextuplets are celebrities in their own rights, and it's fair to say that some fans even see them as friends. These people reach out to the family on social media all the time, and according to Mia, "Many people ask me if it's easier now that they're older, but I beg to differ."
She continued, "They have their own opinions, personalities, identities... our house is in a bit of an uproar. It truly is Ro and I against them." And with so many hormones flying around, we don't doubt that!
Pushing Through the Pandemic
Unfortunately, tensions rose even higher in 2020 when the Coronavirus pandemic swept the world. Like many other schools in the United States, the sextuplets' school was temporarily closed. This forced them to swap the classroom for the dining room, and it was down to Mia and Rozonno to keep them in check while they continued to study and take their online classes. And while it was tough, they battled through it.
To keep the whole house in check during this time, Mia and Rozzono made sure that the kids worked together, while also having their own space. Plus, they made time for chores after homeschooling, too!
A Life With Teenagers
Even though Mia and Rozzono no longer have a reality show behind them, fans beg them every day for a comeback. After all, the kids are teenagers now! With all of those teenage hormones and changing personalities, fans are even more baffled as to how the couple is dealing with sextuplets - especially when these fans have teenagers themselves. However, it seems as though they don't have any plans for another show just yet.
Instead, the couple is focusing on their family and their own progression as a couple. Alongside raising sextuplets, Rozzono runs the family business, and Mia has bagged herself a degree in law.
A Devoted Fan Base
Thanks to their inspiring journey and viral photograph, the McGhees will always be famous. And they'll always have a devoted fan base of people who have either followed them from the beginning or tuned into their unique family later in their lives. Today, Mia has over 25,000 followers on Instagram and over 2,000 followers on Facebook. They're constantly checking in with the family, and Mia is more than happy to share her own updates along the way.
In fact, it's clear to see from her social media profile that Mia loves her children above all else. She's a family woman through and through, but we can't help but wonder what the Mcghee sextuplets are up to now?
The McGhee Sextuplets Now
Those who have checked in on the McGhee sextuplets recently will know that the kids are now worlds away from what they looked like in that first viral photo. While they all look extremely similar, they all have their own personalities and traits - and Mia and Rozzono seem to love learning every single thing about their family. They also love to travel the world as one very big, happy family!
In 2023, the McGhees celebrated Mia and Rozzono's 23rd wedding anniversary with a family cruise. Mia shared photos and videos from their trip online, and fans loved checking out their adventures.