EXHIBIT 32.1

                CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

     In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Northwestern
Mutual Life Insurance Company in respect of NML Variable Annuity Account A and
NML Variable Annuity Account C (the "Registrant") for the period ended December
31, 2003 (the "Report"), Edward J. Zore, as Chief Executive Officer of the
Registrant, and Gary A. Poliner, as Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant,
each hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

     (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Registrant.

               /s/ EDWARD J. ZORE                         Date:  March 23, 2004
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                  Edward J. Zore
                  President and Chief Executive Officer

               /s/ GARY A. POLINER                        Date:  March 23, 2004
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                  Gary A. Poliner
                  Senior Vice President and Chief
                  Financial Officer

     A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has
been provided to The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company in respect of
NML Variable Annuity Account A and NML Variable Annuity Account C (the
"Registrant") and will be retained by the Registrant and furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.