S'porean mum, 36, has 7 children with 4 partners, 1st child born out of wedlock at 17

A 36-year-old Singaporean woman recently went on a local podcast to talk about her life as a mother to seven children, which she had with four different partners.

Her first child was born out of wedlock when she was 17.

Describing her life as "nine out of 10 screwed", she shared that she and her current husband are struggling to make ends meet, with her partner declared bankrupt.

Although she demonstrated optimism despite the circumstances, commenters expressed scepticism at the woman's life choices.

Bubbly personality

The podcast is by local YouTube channels Popping SG and Chicken Genius Singapore.

When the episode opened, one of the hosts asked about Pearlyn's "bubbly" personality despite being hit by a "hard nine" in life.

"Because this is life. No point dwelling on the sad things right?" was Pearlyn's response.

Pearlyn then candidly discussed her life choices that resulted in her being a mother of seven at the age of 36.

First child out of wedlock

She bore her first child out of wedlock at the age of 17.

"Was it an accident or on purpose?" the hosts asked.

"It was on purpose," Pearlyn replied with a laugh.

This was four to five months after she and her then-18-year-old partner met via Friendster, a social networking platform.

She explained that she had a strong motherly instinct since young and loved children.

Pearlyn told the hosts that she was a dropout then, and did not live with her parents.

"Nobody teach me. My childhood has no proper guidance. So I don't know what is right and what is wrong," she shared.

Second to fifth child

Three years later at 20 years old and while she was studying in a private school, Pearlyn met another partner. They had two children together and also got married.

However, she eventually left him due to his infidelity.

Pearlyn went on to work in nightlife as a performer, which was when she met her next husband and father to her fourth and fifth children.

At this point in the conversation, one of the hosts pointed out that Pearlyn seemed to be on a "repeated pattern".

"You also really felt like having kids with him?" one host asked.

"Maybe it is the product of love," the 36-year-old explained.

However, they eventually divorced due to tensions between Pearlyn and the in-laws and the fact that the husband had been abusive towards their son, who had ADHD.

Was pregnant with eighth child

Following the divorce, Pearlyn went back to work in the nightlife industry and met her current husband.

Similarly, they have two children together, who are now five and six years old.

Pearlyn revealed to the hosts that she was actually pregnant with her eighth child.

However, her doctor has recommended against carrying it to term as she has anaemia.

Bankruptcy and financial woes

Pearlyn was full of smiles and laughter while discussing the twists and turns of her life.

When asked why she felt her life was "screwed", Pearlyn revealed the financial woes that she and her current husband are going through.

Pearlyn's husband had left his job as an army regular as she felt that it was taking up too much time away from the family.

Apart from the loss of income, the husband, who is also a divorcee, has to contend with monthly maintenance to his ex-wife and a S$70k debt owed to banks.

These exacerbated the family's spiraling financial situation.

Eventually, her husband was declared a bankrupt.

Pearlyn is currently supporting four of her seven kids, which requires around S$4,000 a month.

Her husband is working part-time, taking home about S$300 to S$700 a month.

To make ends meet, Pearlyn is now working 12-hour days as a private-hire driver, bringing in about S$3,000 a month.

She rents a seven-seater car for about S$3,600 a month.

Her reasoning was that it doubles as a family car for her many children.

The host then rationalised with Pearlyn that she should be switching to a smaller car with a cheaper rent to save on cost.

Reactions to interview

The 47-minute roller coaster podcast interview was posted on Oct. 30, and has since garnered over 368,000 views.

Throughout the interview, Pearlyn spoke about her care and love for her children, but commenters were sceptical.

"Where are the actions to back up her words?" one wrote.

One commenter, however, expressed admiration for Pearlyn's positive attitude.

A fair number of commenters also wished the couple well.

One commenter appeared to recognise Pearlyn's current husband, who joined the podcast midway though.

The commenter praised for him being "one of the best" instructors in the army they had met.

"Hope that you pull through during this tough times," the commenter wrote.