Bates Family Has 19 Children

Gil and Kelly Bates just welcomed their 19^th child on February 1, 2012. They are now tied with the Duggar family for the largest family in America. The couple does not believe in birth control and they are praying for more children. Kelly had two miscarriages and used hormone therapy to strengthen her uterus wall for the three pregnancies following. The couple specified that they are not trying to prevent or promote the births, but they do not want to deny medical help to a life already living.

The family lives in a 4,000 square-foot home with five bedrooms, five washers, and a dinner table that seats all 21 of them. Gil and Kelly do not allow TV and internet in their home, so the children cultivate their musical skills and even travel to put on concerts.

See Jessica Samakow, Bates Family Now Tied With Duggars As America’s Largest Family, The Huffington Post, Feb. 12, 2012. 

Special thanks to David S. Luber (Attorney at law, Florida Probate Attorney Wills and Estates Law Firm) for bringing this article to my attention.