Ann Curry’s Interview With Octuplet Mom, Nadya Suleman: How Will It Play?

Burned when they lost the exclusive on hero pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, NBC is bouncing back with Ann Curry’s exclusive interview with octuplet mom, Nadya Suleman, beginning Monday morning on ‘The Today Show’ and Tuesday night on ‘Dateline.’

But how will it play?  The curiosity factor is already sky high, but will Curry ask the tough questions about a strange and questionable story involving a woman who, according to news outlets other than NBC, has received nearly $200,000 in disability over the past eight years and admitted to being depressed by thoughts of death during her first pregnancy in 2001?

“How did an only child end up with 14 children?” Curry asked Suleman, who spoke publicly for the first time since giving birth last week.

“That was always a dream of mine, to have a large family, a huge family, and– I just longed for certain connections and attachments with another person that I– I really lacked, I believe, growing up,” said Suleman.

“Describe what you felt you lacked within?” asked Curry.

“Feeling of self and identity,” said Suleman. “I didn’t feel as though, when I was a child, I had much control of my environment. I felt powerless. And that gave me a sense of predictability. I– reflecting back on my childhood, I know it wasn’t functional. It was pretty– pretty dysfunctional, and whose isn’t?”

“So, the first time when you tried to become pregnant, you actually had tried how many times before you were successful?” asked Curry.

“Oh, boy,” she replied. “Well, I went through about seven years of trying. And– through artificial insemination. And through medication. And all of which was unsuccessful. And then the first– IVF procedure from that– from that facility– it was successful. And then I just kept going in.”

Earlier today, the LA Times reported that Suleman had three miscarriages before giving birth. Also:

In 2001, she reported being depressed “with recurrent thoughts of death,” according to the records.

She told a doctor that the depression was related to “the powerful and uncontrollable emotions associated with her pregnancy: both the fear that it would end and her elation that it might be brought to fruition and she would realize her dream of having a child.”

In 1999, she was injured during a riot at Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk when she was hit in the back with a desk. She went on temporary disability and was paid nearly $170,000 in disability benefits between 2000 and 2008 for injuries to her back, neck and shoulder, the records show.

More on These Topics: Ann Curry | Nadya Suleman | NBC | The Today Show