The captivating but tragic story of Mary Ann Bevan

POZYTYWNE HISTORIE

The story of Mary Ann Bevan, who was considered “The Ugliest Woman in the World,” begins in the 19th century, a dark period in American culture when “Freakshows,” traveling circuses showcasing people with certain deformities and disabilities, were at the height of their popularity.

Nowadays, it is highly unacceptable to treat people with disabilities disrespectfully, but back then, no one believed it was morally wrong to label them as “freaks.”

Mary Ann Bevan was born on December 20, 1874, in Plaistow, East London, United Kingdom. She grew up to become a nurse and was respected in society. Additionally, she was a very attractive woman with many opportunities.

In 1902, Mary met the love of her life, a man named Thomas Bevan. The two married and had four children together, but their happiness did not last long. After 14 years, Thomas passed away, leaving Mary brokenhearted.

Her life became difficult as she was left alone to take care of her children and provide for them. Unfortunately, around the time she turned 32, Mary began showing strange symptoms. Her face gradually changed, and she didn’t know what was happening or what caused this transformation, affecting her both mentally and financially. Mary’s bones grew, and her face deformed. As a result, she lost her job and could no longer care for her children.

During that time, no one could diagnose her, but this unfortunate woman suffered from acromegaly, a hormonal disorder that develops when the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone during adulthood, causing an increase in bone size, especially in the hands, feet, and face.

Much more is known about this disease nowadays, and there are ways to control it, which was not the case when Mary was alive.

Broken, unhappy, and poor, one day this woman saw an advertisement that read, “Wanted: Ugliest Woman. Nothing repulsive, mutilated, or disfigured. Good pay guaranteed, and long employment for successful applicant. Send a current photo.”

As terrible as she felt about this “job,” she saw no other way out of her situation. She simply had to do everything to feed her children. Above all, she was a mother.

Mary responded to the advertisement, and soon she was contacted by the circus agent, a man named Claude Bartram, who later shared Mary’s story.

“She was not repulsive at all. She had the face one usually finds on a giant, a strong, masculine jaw, prominent cheekbones, nose, and forehead, but she was flawless, healthy, and strong. She told me she didn’t like the idea of exhibiting herself; she was shy and didn’t want to be separated from her children,” Bartram said according to the Daily Star.

“I told her she would earn £10 per week for a year, travel expenses, and all the money from the sale of postcards featuring herself, so she could provide for her children’s education.”

In no time, magazines were filled with photos of Mary Ann, and everyone recognized her as “the ugliest woman in the world.”

Her popularity brought her to the Dreamland Circus in Coney Island, New York, one of the most famous circuses. Mary Ann became an attraction, but then a doctor named Harvey Cushing discovered her, a leading neurosurgeon who knew there was more behind her giant face that he wanted to thoroughly explore.

“This unfortunate woman, sitting in Ringling Brothers’ sideshow ‘between the fat lady and the armless wonder’ and wearing ‘white lace bonnets, woolen gloves, and high-laced shoes,’ has a story far from being a laughing matter.

“She, once a strong and handsome young woman, has become a victim of a disease called acromegaly,” he wrote in a letter to Time magazine.

Mary Ann spent her life in the circus, and it was reported that she earned a small fortune, allowing her to send her children back to England, where they attended boarding schools.

She endured a lot, but she did it all for her children.

Mary Ann died at the age of 59 from natural causes. Her last wish was to be buried in her homeland, England, and her children fulfilled that wish. She rests at the Ladywell and Brockley Cemetery in South London.

The sad but fascinating life story of this woman speaks more of a mother’s love for her children than anything else.

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