In the 19th century, during the peak of “freak shows,” a cultural phenomenon in America, the story of Mary Ann Bevan began. She was labeled as ‘The Ugliest Woman in the World,’ which seems unimaginable and disrespectful by modern standards.
Mary Ann Bevan was born in 1874 in Plaistow, East London, United Kingdom, and grew up to be a respected nurse. She was not only highly regarded in society but also blessed with great beauty and numerous possibilities.
In 1902, Mary Ann met Thomas Bevan, the love of her life. They got married and had four children together, filling their lives with joy. However, after just 14 years, tragedy struck when Thomas passed away, leaving Mary Ann heartbroken and facing the responsibility of providing for her children alone.
Mary Ann’s life took a difficult turn when, at the age of 32, she began experiencing unusual symptoms. Her face started undergoing gradual changes, but she had no idea why or what was causing it. These physical changes not only affected her appearance but also had a profound psychological and financial impact on her life. Unfortunately, she lost her job as her face became deformed and her bones grew unusually large. This led to financial hardship, making it challenging for her to support her children.
During that time, Mary Ann’s condition remained undiagnosed, but today we know she suffered from acromegaly, a hormonal disorder. Acromegaly occurs when the pituitary gland produces an excess amount of growth hormone in adulthood, resulting in the uncontrolled growth of bones in the hands, feet, and face.
Crushed and burdened with poverty, Mary Ann came across an advertisement one day seeking the “Ugliest Woman.” Despite her reservations about such a job, she saw no other way to support her children. She felt compelled to do whatever it took to provide for them since above all, she was a loving mother.
Mary Ann responded to the advertisement and was contacted by a circus agent named Claude Bartram, who later shared her story. Bartram described her as having a unique face, with strong features usually associated with giants, such as a powerful jaw, prominent cheekbones, nose, and forehead. However, despite her unconventional appearance, Mary Ann was healthy, unblemished, and strong.
She felt uncomfortable about putting herself on display but agreed after Bartram assured her that she would earn £10 per week for a year, along with travel expenses and the profits from the sale of picture postcards featuring her image. This would enable her to provide for her children’s education.
Soon, Mary Ann’s photos filled magazines, and she gained fame as ‘the ugliest woman on Earth.’ Her popularity led her to join the Dreamland Circus in Coney Island, New York, one of the most famous circuses of the time. However, fate had more in store for Mary Ann when a renowned neurosurgeon, Dr. Harvey Cushing, noticed her and recognized that there was a deeper story behind her unique appearance that he wanted to explore.
Dr. Cushing wrote a letter to Time magazine, where he described Mary Ann as an unfortunate victim of acromegaly, a disease that had transformed her from a once vibrant and attractive young woman into someone who had to endure the hardships of this condition.
Mary Ann spent the rest of her life working at the circus, amassing a small fortune that allowed her to send her children back to England, where they attended boarding schools. Her unwavering dedication to her children drove her to endure the challenges she faced every day.
Mary Ann Bevan passed away at the age of 59 from natural causes. Her final wish was to be buried in her homeland, England, and her children lovingly fulfilled her last request. Today, she rests at the Ladywell and Brockley Cemetery in South London.
Mary Ann Bevan’s life story may be sad, but it is also incredibly inspiring. Her story speaks volumes about a mother’s unconditional love for her children above all else.
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