"I See Him in My Daughter's Eyes" Woman Gives Birth Using Deceased Husband's Sperm... Husband Was an Athlete at Pyeongchang Olympics

32-Year-Old Athlete Husband Drowns While Fishing
Posthumous Sperm Retrieval for IVF

The story of an Australian model who gave birth to a daughter using sperm retrieved from her husband who died by drowning has become a hot topic.

According to The Sun on the 4th (local time), Elidi Pullin (31), an Australian swimsuit model, recently appeared on a podcast and explained the process of giving birth to a "miracle baby" 15 months after her husband's death through posthumous sperm retrieval (PSR).

Elidi Pullin (31) gave birth to a daughter using sperm collected from her husband, Alex Chempi Pullin.
[Photo by Elidi Pullin SNS capture]

Elidi's husband, Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin, was an Australian national snowboarder who competed in the Winter Olympics in 2010, 2014, and 2018. Alex drowned on July 8, 2020, while spearfishing (a method of fishing underwater using a spear or harpoon). He drowned from hypoxia in shallow water after holding his breath underwater for too long. He was 32 years old.

Elidi recalled that day, saying, "It was just an ordinary day. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day." She added, "Alex was debating whether to go surfing or diving in the morning, and we had planned to go to a cafe to enjoy the sunny weather."

Since the couple had been trying to have a baby, Elidi's friends and family discussed posthumous sperm retrieval just hours after Alex's death.

Elidi agreed to the posthumous sperm retrieval within 12 hours of her husband's death and began in vitro fertilization six months later. After two attempts, Elidi gave birth to a daughter named Minnie Alex Pullin in October 2021.

Elidi said, "At the time of the posthumous sperm retrieval, Alex's sperm was still healthy and alive, so I was able to have a daughter," adding, "I was really lucky."

Elidi shared photos with her daughter on Instagram. She expressed her feelings, saying, "She is now four months old and looks like her dad. I can see him in her eyes," and "Knowing how great a dad he could have been, it is the saddest thing that he cannot see his daughter now."

She also wrote to her daughter, "Your dad and I dreamed of you for years."

Meanwhile, posthumous sperm retrieval is conditionally permitted in some countries but is mostly strictly regulated. In South Korea, there are reportedly no specific legal regulations or clear guidelines yet.