Two of the world’s oldest quadruplets die weeks before turning 90
Two of the world’s oldest quadruplets have died just weeks before they were due to celebrate their ninetieth birthdays.
Ann, Ernest, Paul and Michael were born on 28 November 1935 at their family home in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, and gained global attention in 1935 for being the first British multiple birth babies to survive more than a few days. They became known as the St Neots Quads.
The family announced last month that Paul and Michael Miles passed away nine days apart last month. There are two surviving St Neots Quads, Anne and Ernest.
Their older brother Gordon, who is two years older than the quadruplets, said in a statement to local media: “Our whole family is very sorry to lose Michael and Paul. Their story is extraordinary. I don’t think anyone could have imagined in 1935 that premature quadruplets would live this long.”
“We are grateful that after such a risky start, they were able to live long and happy lives raising their own families. We will miss them.”
Parents Walter and Doris Miles were expecting twins when they found out they were pregnant. Three babies were detected in an x-ray taken several months before birth, and a fourth was detected later.
The babies were delivered more than seven weeks early by a local GP, a district nurse and Ms Miles’ mother. Due to premature birth, all four babies were small, weak and incredibly weeks old, with their fingernails and toenails not fully developed, according to St Neot Museum, which has organized an exhibition dedicated to the family.
The last person born, Michael, struggled to breathe immediately after birth and required CPR for more than 50 minutes before he could begin breathing unaided. The quadruplets had to be fed sterilized water from a teaspoon by their grandmother because they could not breastfeed properly.
Word spread that the quadruplets had survived the first few days. They moved in with GP Dr EH Harrisson to protect the babies, who were unable to maintain body temperature without help and needed to be kept away from infections. A team of four specialist nurses from Great Ormond Street Hospital were sent to care for them free of charge.
According to the museum, for the first few weeks the babies were not bathed but were rubbed all over with olive oil. They were fed milk delivered twice a day from Queen Charlotte Hospital in London, which had to be skimmed and diluted by 50 percent for the babies to digest properly.
Mr and Mrs Miles were eventually able to take home their four babies and money was raised to raise them after the doctor estimated it would cost at least £5,000 at the time, the equivalent of £310,383.65 in today’s currency. Mrs Miles received £4.00 from the Keeper of the Privy Purse shortly after the babies’ birth, and donations poured in from all over the country.
St Neots Museum released the following statement upon hearing the news of Michael and Paul’s deaths: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the recent deaths of Michael and Paul Miles, two of St Neots’ famous quadruplets. They would have celebrated their ninetieth birthdays this November.
“The story of the Miles quadruplets is one of the most cherished in our museum, and their extraordinary early years continue to inspire visitors of all ages. Their recorded lives as the world’s oldest surviving quadruplets represent a turning point in the history of medicine and a powerful local story of resilience and family love.
“An additional exhibition dedicated to the Miles family has opened at the museum, which includes a christening gown and a recorded interview with their mother, Doris Miles. This exhibition will run until Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
“We are grateful to the Miles family for generously sharing their memories and personal belongings with the museum over the decades, helping us preserve and share this remarkable part of St Neots history. Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this sad time.”
