21-year-old shares how she’s been caring for her five younger siblings since their parents died

After both of her parents died within a few years of each other, a 21-year-old girl stepped up to support and raise her five younger siblings.

Samantha Rodriguez from Orlando, Florida, was just 17 when she and her brothers and sisters suddenly became orphans, losing both their mother and father to cancer.

Determined to keep her family together, Samantha told The View this week that she took it upon herself to ‘become their adult, fulfilling the dual roles of mom and dad for her younger siblings, who range in age from seven to 16. 

The adult: She supports them financially and is both mother and father to them

Growing up fast: She also makes sure they are fed and that they get to school and doctor’s appointments 

Tragic: They lost both of their parents to cancer within a few years of each other

Awful: Then, mother Lisa Smith was diagnosed with cervical cancer and died in 2013

Major loss: Not long after, tragedy struck again when their dad, Alexander Rodriguez, was diagnosed with lymphoma and died three years after Lisa

The Rodriguez children’s parents had a ‘strong relationship,’ and the kids grew up feeling loved and ‘very cared for.’

Then, mother Lisa Smith was diagnosed with cervical cancer and died in 2013.

‘I never really had the chance to tell her how I felt. I couldn’t talk about it because I’m a kid. So I just kept it all bottled up. And it’s tough,’ Samantha said through tears.

Though Samantha was a teenager when their mom died, her siblings were younger, and say they don’t remember their mom well. 

Not long after, tragedy struck again when their dad, Alexander Rodriguez, was diagnosed with lymphoma. Samantha dropped out of high school to care for him, but he soon died, three years after Lisa.

The six children were suddenly orphans. 

Dedicated: The kids were faced with the threat of being split up by social workers, but Samantha kept them together

‘My reality [was] I’m 17 but these are my brothers and sisters, and when I looked at them, I knew that they’re children. They’re vulnerable and they need an adult, so I became their adult,’ she said

Fun: She makes sure they are fed and that the bills are paid, and also plays with them

Paying the bills: She works part-time as a waitress and also uses death benefits from her parents

Samantha is pictured in the kitchen with her 74-year-old grandmother

‘Even with dad being there longer than my mom, it still wasn’t enough time obviously to have memories with him, like father-daughter dances at school and stuff,’ said Milagros, 16.

The kids were faced with the threat of being split up by social workers, but Samantha kept them together.  

‘My reality [was] I’m 17 but these are my brothers and sisters, and when I looked at them, I knew that they’re children. They’re vulnerable and they need an adult, so I became their adult,’ she said. 

She quickly became caretaker for Milagros, 15-year-old Brenda, 12-year-old Michael, nine-year-old Bella, and seven-year-old Destiny, despite their 76-year-old grandmother still being in the picture.

She makes sure they are fed and that the bills are paid. She takes them to school, gets them to their doctors’ appointments and sports practices, and helps them with homework.

Siblings: She cares for 16-year-old Milagros, 15-year-old Brenda, 12-year-old Michael, nine-year-old Bella, and seven-year-old Destiny

‘Even with dad being there longer than my mom, it still wasn’t enough time obviously to have memories with him, like father-daughter dances at school and stuff,’ said Milagros

‘I try to give them the love that they need and the support they need and I try to do it for two,’ Samantha said

She even provides for them financially. 

‘Sometimes it can be tight, but with the death benefits we get from our parents, and my part time job working as a waitress, we make ends meet most of the time,’ she said.

With time, she went back to school and got her high school diploma, and even began attending college part time. 

‘I didn’t know people who graduated high school or went college, and I didn’t have that direction so it was hard for me. When I realized that I wanted the kids to finish and that I wanted them to be successful, I was like I need to give them that example and show them,’ she said.

But it’s not just the responsibility of taking care of basic needs like food and shelter — she also makes home a place of love. 

‘I try to give them the love that they need and the support they need and I try to do it for two,’ she said.

Incredible accomplishment: Though she dropped out of school for a while, she went back and got her high school diploma, and even began attending college part time

Some help: On The View this week, Toyota surprised her with a $15,000 scholarship 

Support: They also gave her a new car, which was filled with Disney toys

‘I get a lot of that strength from my mother. I spent a lot of time with her and I admired her so much. When we lost her, I knew that I wanted to be just like her in every way. That’s what I wanted to do for the kids.’

Her siblings called her both a ‘mom and a dad,’ admitting she ‘gave up basically her life to take care of us.’

Samantha also tries to pass on lessons she learned from their parents.

‘They showed us not to take anything for granted. That’s something I try to teach the kids,’ she said. 

‘At the end of the day, the material things don’t matter. What’s given can be taken away so fast. The only thing that really matters is family and love and support.’

She isn’t complaining, either.

‘This is what makes me, me. It makes me so happy to be with them and to be there for them. It’s very enjoyable for me,’ she said. 

While visiting The View, the family received a gift of a new van from Toyota, as well as Disney gifts for the children. Toyota also gave Samantha a $15,000 scholarship.