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How Mary Ann Bevan, The Ugliest Woman In The World, Became Rich Because Of Her Appearance
An unassuming English woman became a celebrity in the United States and abroad because of hos a medical condition transformed her body
Throughout history, people have become famous for myriad reasons. Most often, it’s for displaying a particular talent, such as being an actor or musician, or a notoriety like being a king or queen. However, fame isn’t all roses, as widespread recognition can come from even the strangest and most unfortunate things. An English woman born in the 19th century named Mary Ann Bevan found that out firsthand, as her perceived lack of physical beauty made her a celebrity, but at least also made her wealthy.
Bevan (born Webster) was born on December 20, 1874, in Plaistow, London. Over the next six decades, she led an extraordinary life that started out in a relatively normal fashion and eventually went on to help redefine perceptions of beauty and social norms. This notoriety was due to her receiving international fame as a bearded lady, whose physical appearance became her calling card. Despite encountering adversity and ridicule, she leveraged her unique appearance into a platform to advocate for acceptance and to inspire others.
