Influencer Mariana Arasaki, 40, and businessman Carlos Arasaki, 41, had already attracted attention for having more than a dozen children, but their 1.2 million followers on Instagram alone were surprised in May with the news that another baby was on the way. Maria Carolina, the couple’s thirteenth child, was born vaginally at the beginning of the month.
The couple are Catholic and do not use contraceptives. They met at a youth group at the parish they still attend, and in 2011, they married. The couple states that they do not avoid pregnancy in order to fully fulfill the promise they made on their wedding day: to receive and educate all the children whom God sends to them in faith.
Mariana and Carlos say they are still ready to do God’s will. “If he wants to give us another child, here we go.”
The couple says every pregnancy and birth is different. “We are so happy, busy and grateful for this beautiful gift. Love is amazing, it is never the same.”
They say they are completely open to life (the idea that the possibility of pregnancy should not be prevented by artificial means). “We never use contraception,” says Mariana. “Being open to life is up to God and the couple. This does not mean that everyone will have 13 children.” She has six siblings and 19 nephews. Carlos is an only child.
The couple had their first daughter at the age of 26. Today, they have 13 children: nine girls and four boys, both twins, all born vaginally.
In addition to Maria Carolina, they are parents to firstborn Maria Filomena, 14 years old, Martin, 12 years old, Maria Clara, 11 years old, Maria Sofía, 10 years old, Bernardo, 8 years old, Margarida, 7 years old, Maria Maddalena, 6 years old, Stella Maria, 4 years old, twins João Pio and Josemaria, 3 years old, and twins Maria Cristina and Maria Gabriela, 2 years old.
According to the couple, the brothers are excited about the arrival of their youngest daughter. “They come home from school and run to check on her. The kids are eager to catch up with Maria Carolina all the time, and we even heard from them that she’s already theirs.”
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