Against all odds: The world’s only nonuplets turn 5—See the photos that broke Guinness World Records!

Five years ago today, a medical team in Casablanca held its collective breath. 

On May 4, 2021, Halima Cissé gave birth to nine healthy babies, shattering medical expectations and seizing a permanent spot in the Guinness World Records.

Today, those nine miracles are officially five years old. From fragile newborns to energetic toddlers, their journey is a visual marvel that continues to captivate millions.

When Halima Cissé was flown from Mali to the Ain Borja clinic in Morocco, doctors initially expected seven babies based on early scans. They got nine. 

The delivery required a synchronised team of over 30 medical professionals and a level of surgical precision rarely seen in a delivery room.

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The first 19 months were a delicate waiting game.

The "Mali Nine" lived under 24-hour neonatal care before they were strong enough to fly home. It was during this period that the world first fell in love with their coordinated nursery photos.

What does a 5th birthday look like for the Cissé family? It’s a masterclass in logistics. 

From "assembly line" morning routines to the sheer volume of school supplies, parents Halima and Abdelkader Arby have turned parenting into a high-performance sport.

• Girls: Kadidia, Fatouma, Hawa, Adama, Oumou

• Boys: Mamadou, Bah, Oumar, Elhadji

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After returning to Mali in 2022, the children have transitioned from medical miracles to local celebrities in Bamako. 

Their 5th-birthday portraits show nine distinct personalities emerging, though they remain famously inseparable.

The survival of the Cissé nonuplets is a testament to the advancement of African and Moroccan healthcare and a mother’s incredible resilience. 

As they blow out 45 total candles today, they remind the world that "impossible" is just a starting point.

Happy 5th Birthday to the "Mali Nine!"

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