Neuhoff quintuplets turn 40 on their ’10th birthday’
These brothers were marked in world history as the only quintuplets of which all are male
On Leap Day this year, the world-renowned Neuhoff quintuplets celebrated their 40th birthday in style.
Francois, Pieter, Hendrik, Heinrich and Marius Neuhoff were born on February 29, 1980, in Kempton Park Hospital.
Mother Lagé (70) and father Pikkie (74) still live in Pomona, where their five sons grew up alongside their big sister, Elizna. She was five when her handful of brothers arrived.
These brothers were marked in world history as the only quintuplets of which all are male, as well as being the only quintuplets born on Leap Day.
Before the party started at Summer Place in Boksburg, the five brothers told stories, made jokes and shared memories that made a complete stranger feel right at home.
When they were asked what it was like growing up, the oldest, Francois, replied: “It’s all we’ve known our entire lives. We are five who have experienced each phase of our lives together.”
Were they menaces at school? “We were actually quite exemplary, and almost too well-behaved,” said Hendrik.
Francois explained that they used to fight regularly among one another, as all siblings do. “But whenever someone was looking for trouble with any one of us, we all stood together. Few have actually dared to cause trouble among us,” he said lightheartedly.
As the festivities carried on, all five brothers paid tribute to their parents’ complete commitment over the years and how blessed they were growing up.
“Being able to raise six children, all of whom went to university, resulted in a ton of perseverance and sacrifices. Our mother proved her physical and emotional commitment time and time again, and our father is our rock and a true joker,” said Francois.
He asked his dad whether he would speak at their big bash, to which Pikkie replied: “No, I’m not supposed to lie.”
When Lagé and Pikkie celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary, Francois asked his dad if he still believed he chose the right partner after all these years. Pikkie answered: “It’s still too early to tell.”
Francois, a financial manager, and Hendrik, a marketing manager, both live in Nelspruit.
Pieter works as a processing engineer in Pretoria, Heinrich works in construction management and is based near his parents in Kempton Park and Marius came all the way from Botswana, where he works at a lodge at the Okavango Delta Ridge.
“We can start a business together,” Pieter joked. The variation in their professions just proves the diversity that exists among these brothers.
Marius added: “I think our taste in women is very similar.”
When asked about their marital status, all five bowed their heads: the three who are bald – Francois, Pieter and Marius – are all married, but the two who still have hair, are single.
Francois mentioned how remarkable it was that the women in their lives also cherished the strong bond between the five brothers.
“Everyone would always put in a lot of effort for us to come together,” he said.
Hendrik expressed his gratitude towards their sister.
“She helped my parents bottle-feed us; she helped with changing diapers. Not even to mention her assistance with all of our school assignments,” Hannes said.
During the evening’s formalities and speeches, the six Neuhoff children looked up to their father who, with tears showing, said: “We prayed for you since the moment of your births, and we will continue to pray until the day we die.”
Each brother received their very own birthday cake.
