Natalia Grace, of Ukrainian descent, became famous for the controversial and highly publicized circumstances surrounding her adoption.
Born with achondroplasia congenital, a rare form of dwarfism, she was adopted by an American couple, Michael and Kristine Barnett, in 2010.
Initially believed to be a six-year-old orphan, Natalia was later claimed by the Barnett family to be an adult posing as a child, leading to a fierce legal and media controversy.
The Barnett family’s allegations included accusations of pathological behavior, which Natalia consistently denied, insisting that she was actually a child at the time of her adoption.
File
- Full Name: Natalia Grace Barnett
- Date of birth: September 4, 2003 (supposedly changed to September 4, 1989)
- Age as of 2024: Approximately 21 or 35, depending on the disputed birth year
- Gender: Female
- Place of birth: Ukraine
- Nationality: Ukrainian-American
- Occupation: None
- Height: None
- Parents: Adoptive parents Michael Barnett and Kristine Barnett
- Siblings: Three adopted brothers (names unknown)
- Spouse: None
- Children: None
- Relationship status: None
- Religion: None
- Ethnicity: None
- Net Worth: $2,000
Early life and education
Natalia Grace, now 21 or 35, was born in Ukraine and spent her early years in an orphanage, depending on the disputed year of birth.
The little girl was diagnosed with congenital spinal dysraphism, which affects physical development and growth.
In 2008, she was brought to the United States and placed in the foster care system before being adopted by the Barnett family in 2010.
The specifics of her early education are not fully documented, but her adoptive parents initially enrolled her in various educational programs before the adoption controversy arose.
Personal life
Natalia’s personal life was deeply affected by legal battles and media scrutiny following her adoption.
The Barnetts, who later divorced, accused her of being an adult posing as a child and alleged she had engaged in harmful behavior.
These claims have been a key part of Natalia’s story in the media. In recent years, Natalia has lived with another couple in Indiana, Cynthia and Antwon Mans, who have backed her claim that she was a minor at the time of her adoption.
Despite the chaotic circumstances, the Manses family has provided Natalia with a stable living environment since 2013.
Career
Due to constant controversies and her young age, Natalia Grace has yet to establish a professional career.
However, her story has been the subject of numerous media projects, including documentaries and news reports, keeping her in the public eye over the years.
Net worth
Natalia Grace’s net worth is around $2,000, although she has not yet engaged in any professional activities that generate significant income.
Argumentative
Controversy surrounding Natalia Grace began soon after she was adopted by the Barnett family, who claimed that Natalia, originally believed to be six years old, was in fact much older.
They cited her physical development and behavior as evidence, leading the court to order her birth year to be changed from 2003 to 1989.
The Barnett family accused Natalia of threatening their family, including trying to poison Kristine and pushing her toward an electric fence.
These allegations came to a head when the Barnett family moved to Canada in 2013, leaving Natalia in an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana, which attracted legal attention and accusations of child neglect against the couple.
A significant development in the case came when DNA testing was conducted in 2023, which showed Natalia to be around 22 years old, more consistent with her original birth certificate in Ukraine.
The test proved Natalia’s claim that she was a child at the time of her adoption. The Barnett family’s legal battles saw both parents acquitted of neglect charges in 2023.
However, the case still leaves many questions and debates in the public about Natalia’s real age and the Barnett family’s treatment of her.
