Cashing In On The Kids! Kate Gosselin Confesses To Collecting Freebies After TV Debut
Sept. 13 2016, Published 9:54 a.m. ET
When Kate Gosselin welcomed sextuplets in 2004, she worked as a nurse and her then-husband, Jon, was unemployed. What was a mother of eight to do? Put her cute kids on TV, of course, and collect the rewards! The Kate Plus 8 star talks raking in free clothes, cars and even plastic surgery in her book I Just Want You to Know.
Kate Gosselin out with all her kids going to Party City to pick up birthday supplies in Reading, PA
Before her reality TV debut, Kate, who left her medical job soon after the youngest kids' birth, collected money from "people" in order to buy a large van that could fit all ten family members. "That bus was the difference between going nowhere and going anywhere we wanted," she wrote.
Kate Gosselin goes shopping at Target
When the Discovery Health Channel first asked to film a one-hour documentary about the family in 2006, Kate, 41, said she signed up in order to reap the "benefits." "In addition to covering a dinner out, the production company offered to cover our bill when he filmed at Sam's Club, and they purchased snow boots for the children when we picked out a Christmas tree," she bragged.
Kate Gosselin in a bikini during beach holiday without husband Jon
Best of all, she continued, a plastic surgeon and his wife offered her a free tummy tuck after watching the episode. "I was standing in my bedroom when I heard the news, and I screamed at the top of my lungs," Kate recalled. "I would say a dream come true, but I hadn't even dared to have that dream."
Kate Gosselin and all her kids go to Party City in PA
Other freebies came piling in from new fans. "Groceries came exactly when we needed them, we had a 'shoe angel' who got us through numerous seasons by providing eight pairs of shoes, we received clothing and even Christmas presents from viewers of our show," she wrote. "Everything was always taken care of." One woman event sent an envelope of gift cards and a check!
EXCLUSIVE: Jon and Kate plus 8 in Maui filming
Jon even asked the kids' dentist, Dr. Kristin, to "work things out," and they ultimately received free tooth care! "Another miracle from the Lord," Kate gushed.
Jon Gosselin and the twins pick up lots of packages at UPS Store in PA
Corporate freebies! Kate claimed that various companies began sending "unsolicited" products, including organic juices and snacks. "Our kids were all too happy to open the surprise of the day," she said.
Kate Gosselin visits ‘Good Morning America’ in Times Square
Ungrateful? Though she clearly capitalized from fame and fans, Kate said she often considered public attention "unwanted and an annoyance." However, she later stated she realized she was acting like a "spoiled brat" and began accepting and appreciating the show's many viewers.
Kate Gosselin and kids arrive back home from Alaska Trip
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The entire family also began taking free vacations to places including Alaska and Mexico as part of the show.
Kate Gosselin plus 8 go to buy school shoes at Stride Rite in Quakertown, PA
Even when Kate became a millionaire thanks to multiple seasons of her TLC show, she refused to give back, Kate Gosselin: How She Fooled the World author Robert Hoffman claimed. Instead of donating the kids' outgrown clothes to the needy, she resold them at a consignment shop!
Still greedy! Kate's former best friend and ghostwriter, Beth Carson, told RadarOnline.com that the reality star tried to cut her confidante out of her earnings for Multiple Blessings.
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