How often have you heard someone say something is a “one in a million” shot? Well, for one mother, that expression has come true: twice.
Catherine Howarth, a black woman married to a Caucasian man, has stumped geneticists with her son and daughter, both of whom have blue eyes and pale skin. Experts claim Howarth is the only woman of color to have borne two “white” children, saying the odds of doing so are truly 1,000,000 to one.
How did it happen? Doctors believe she may have an unusual recessive Caucasian gene, possibly dating back centuries, that allowed for the creation of her white son and daughter, Jonah and Sophia. The striking and photogenic siblings are already attracting modelling agency offers, even though they are both still toddlers.
But for the 35-year-old financial analyst, the dichotomy in skin tones between herself and her children has created some problems. She says she is often asked if she is the children’s nanny.
Their father, a 37-year-old white engineer, was also surprised that both children emerged so fair, especially after experts told the couple the chances of a second white child were infinitesimal.
But at the end of the day, the couple are just delighted to have some adorable and, of course, healthy children, with all the recognition being a bit stunning.
“Happy and healthy is all that matters,” says Catherine of her babies.
Still, it’s all a bit of a mystery.
“My parents were from Nigeria and as far back as anyone can recall my family have all been black,” says Catherine. “The only explanation seems to be there must have been a white gene in my family that has remained dormant for years until now. And now it seems to be very dominant.”
As for dad, he’s happy with however his children may have turned out.
“While it is interesting how the genes have aligned themselves, it doesn’t matter to us what color our children’s skin is. We just feel incredibly lucky to have a beautiful son and daughter,” he said.
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