Natalia Grace Barnett (now known as Natalia Grace Mans) is a Ukrainian-born American who came into the international spotlight after a highly publicized controversy involving her adoptive parents, Kristine and Michael Barnett. Born on September 4, 2003, Natalia was diagnosed with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare form of dwarfism affecting bone and spine growth.
Her case gained widespread attention when her adoptive parents alleged that she was an adult posing as a child and accused her of plotting harm against them. The Barnetts legally changed her age, abandoned her in an Indiana apartment, and moved to Canada. The story became a subject of numerous television documentaries, including “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace”, and inspired the upcoming Hulu series “Good American Family”.
In this article, we will explore all the essential details about Natalia Grace, including her age, height, weight, net worth, early life, family, relationships, controversies, physical appearance, and lesser-known facts. If you’re searching for terms like Natalia Grace Net Worth, Natalia Grace true story, or Natalia Grace age, this article covers everything you need to know.
Natalia Grace Short Details
| Full Name | Natalia Grace Barnett (Now Natalia Grace Mans) |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Natalia Grace |
| Profession | Public Figure, Subject of Documentaries |
| Hometown | Mykolaiv, Ukraine |
| Nationality | Ukrainian-American |
| Date of Birth | September 4, 2003 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 21 years old |
| Height | Not Available |
| Weight | Not Available |
| Eye Color | Not Available |
| Hair Color | Not Available |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Other Notable Information | Diagnosed with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, Subject of Hulu series “Good American Family” |
Early Life and Career
Early Life and Adoption
Natalia Grace was born in Ukraine to her biological mother, Anna Volodymyrivna Gava, who lived in Mykolaiv. Shortly after her birth, Natalia was placed in an orphanage due to her diagnosis of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a form of dwarfism that affects bone growth and height.
In 2010, Natalia came to the United States and was adopted by Kristine and Michael Barnett from Indiana. Before her adoption by the Barnetts, Natalia reportedly had a previous adoptive placement in the U.S.
Life with the Barnetts
When Natalia was adopted by the Barnetts, they believed she was 6 or 7 years old, based on her Ukrainian birth certificate. However, shortly after bringing her home, the Barnetts claimed that she was much older than her official age. Their suspicions were based on:
- Alleged signs of puberty, such as pubic hair and a menstrual cycle.
- Alleged violent behavior and sociopathic tendencies.
- Claims that Natalia was mentally ill and posing as a child to scam the family.
In 2012, the Barnetts petitioned a court in Marion County, Indiana, to legally change Natalia’s birth year from 2003 to 1989, effectively altering her age from 8 years old to 22 years old.
Abandonment and Legal Battle
After successfully altering Natalia’s age, the Barnetts:
- Moved Natalia into an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana, in 2013.
- Relocated to Canada with their biological children, leaving Natalia behind.
- Signed Natalia up for public assistance, including food stamps and Medicaid.
In 2019, the Barnetts were charged with neglect after prosecutors argued that Natalia was, in fact, a minor when she was abandoned. However, Michael Barnett was later found not guilty, and Kristine Barnett’s charges were dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
Natalia’s New Life with the Mans Family
After being abandoned by the Barnetts, Natalia was taken in by Antwon and Cynthia Mans, who noticed that Natalia struggled to live independently. The Manses stated that during her time with them, Natalia did not exhibit any sociopathic behavior, contradicting the claims made by the Barnetts.
DNA Evidence and Age Confirmation
In August 2023, a DNA test conducted by TruDiagnostic estimated that Natalia was around 22 years old, aligning with her original birth year of 2003 and suggesting that she was 8 years old at the time of her abandonment in 2011. Following this revelation, Natalia’s birth year was legally restored to 2003.
Family and Relationships
Family Details
| Family Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Anna Volodymyrivna Gava | Biological Mother |
| Kristine Barnett | Former Adoptive Mother |
| Michael Barnett | Former Adoptive Father |
| Antwon & Cynthia Mans | Current Adoptive Parents |
Current Relationships
According to a recent interview with People Magazine, Natalia Grace has found love and is currently in a relationship with her boyfriend Neil. The couple appears to be doing well, and Natalia expressed feeling “free” and happy in her current situation.
Physical Appearance
While specific details about Natalia Grace’s physical appearance are limited, it is known that she has dwarfism, specifically spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, which affects her height and skeletal structure.
Physical Attributes Table
| Height | Not Available |
|---|---|
| Weight | Not Available |
| Eye Color | Not Available |
| Hair Color | Not Available |
| Tattoos | None |
| Piercings | None |
| Distinguishing Features | Short stature due to dwarfism |
Natalia Grace Net Worth and Income Sources
As of 2025, Natalia Grace’s net worth is estimated to be around $500,000 USD. The majority of her wealth comes from:
- Television appearances, including “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace”.
- Interviews and exclusive media deals.
- Consultations and public speaking engagements related to disability rights and adoption ethics.
Net Worth Table
| Net Worth (2025) | $500,000 USD |
|---|---|
| Primary Income Sources | TV appearances, interviews |
| Additional Income Streams | Speaking engagements, royalties |
Lesser-Known Facts About Natalia Grace
- Natalia Grace’s case inspired the Hulu series “Good American Family”, set to premiere on March 19, 2025, starring Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass.
- DNA testing in 2023 confirmed her original birth year (2003), overturning the court’s previous decision.
- Natalia is currently studying for her GED and dreams of becoming a teacher.
- She enjoys listening to Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus.
- Natalia has undergone and plans more surgeries related to her dwarfism.
- Kristine Barnett was reportedly inspired by the 2009 movie “Orphan” when she accused Natalia of pretending to be a child.
- Natalia has expressed forgiveness toward her former adoptive family, stating that she is now focused on her future.
- She has learned to drive and continues to pursue independence despite the challenges she faced.
- Natalia’s story became a sensation in the true crime community, being described as one of the most bizarre adoption cases in history.
- Season 3 of “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace” premiered on January 7, 2025, on Max.
FAQs About Natalia Grace
- Q: What is Natalia Grace’s real age?
A: Natalia Grace was born on September 4, 2003, making her 21 years old as of 2025. - Q: What disorder does Natalia Grace have?
A: Natalia has spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare form of dwarfism. - Q: Where is Natalia Grace now?
A: Natalia currently lives with Antwon and Cynthia Mans, is studying for her GED, and is in a relationship with her boyfriend Neil. - Q: What happened to Kristine and Michael Barnett?
A: The Barnetts were charged with neglect, but the charges were dismissed due to lack of evidence. The couple is now divorced. - Q: What is the Hulu series “Good American Family” about?
A: The series, inspired by Natalia Grace’s case, explores the controversy surrounding a Midwestern couple who adopt a girl with dwarfism and later suspect she is not who she claims to be. - Q: Did Natalia Grace’s DNA test confirm her real age?
A: Yes, a 2023 DNA test confirmed Natalia’s age as approximately 22 years old, consistent with her 2003 birth year. - Q: What are Natalia Grace’s future aspirations?
A: Natalia dreams of becoming a teacher and continues to advocate for adoption ethics and disability rights. - Q: How can I watch “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace”?
A: The series is available on Investigation Discovery (ID) and Max. - Q: What is Natalia Grace’s net worth?
A: As of 2025, Natalia Grace’s net worth is estimated at $500,000 USD. - Q: Is Natalia Grace featured in “Good American Family”?
A: Natalia is not directly featured, but the series is inspired by her life story.
Conclusion
The Natalia Grace Barnett case remains one of the most controversial adoption stories in recent memory. Her life has been a complex narrative of legal battles, media attention, and personal resilience. From being abandoned by her adoptive family to rebuilding her life with the Mans family, Natalia’s journey is a testament to survival and self-discovery.
As the world awaits the release of “Good American Family” on March 19, 2025, Natalia Grace continues to pursue her dreams, proving that strength and determination can overcome even the most challenging circumstances.
“NOTE: This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to verify the details independently from reliable sources.”
