I'm pleased with the progress our civilization has made in many respects by 2022. While some aspects of the past were better, looking back a few centuries reveals elements of daily life that are best left behind.
One such element was the popularity of "freak shows" in the 19th century, which were a regular part of American society. These traveling circuses featured "odd" individuals, such as bearded women and Siamese twins.
Mary Ann Bevan, one of these individuals, was given the title of "Ugliest Woman in the World." Her fascinating yet tragic life story serves as a reminder of why we must never forget her.
People have always been fascinated by individuals of different ethnicities or with unique physical abilities, but exploiting them for public display and profit is wrong, regardless of the era.
In the 19th century, audiences flocked to see people with deformities; today, such practices are unthinkable. "Freak shows" were extremely popular from the 1840s until the 1940s, and exploiting individuals for profit was not considered ethically immoral.
Therefore, it’s perhaps not surprising that Mary Ann Bevan’s story begins during this period. Born on December 20, 1874, in Plaistow, East London, United Kingdom, Mary Ann Webster entered a world where large working-class families were common. As one of eight children, including six brothers, she grew up in a typical working-class household.
When her brothers reached adulthood, they found jobs to support the family. Mary Ann, however, had other options. The striking brunette graduated from medical school and began working as a nurse in 1894, with a bright future ahead of her.
She was a lovely young lady with delicate features, living in London and well-educated. Economically thriving, the city had become a hub of the contemporary world.
Mary Ann found love when she married Thomas Bevan in 1902. The couple had four children and enjoyed a happy life together. However, their joy was short-lived. After 14 years of marriage, Thomas suffered a stroke and died, leaving Mary Ann devastated and alone with her four children.
Unfortunately, Mary Ann was also dealing with health issues. Shortly after marrying Thomas, she began experiencing physical problems that worsened over the years.
Around the age of 32, Mary Ann started showing symptoms of acromegaly. The initial symptoms must have been horrifying, and it was difficult to find help for the rare condition.
At the time, acromegaly was an unknown illness, and doctors knew little about how to treat it. Acromegaly is caused by the overproduction of growth hormone, leading to enlarged body tissues and bones. It often results in the hands and feet growing to three times their normal size.
Mary Ann’s condition manifested later in life, affecting her face. Her features grew broader and more masculine as she battled the disease.
Today, we know much more about acromegaly. It affects about six in every 100,000 people and, if diagnosed in time, can be treated. With proper care, acromegaly patients today can have a life expectancy similar to the general population.
Unfortunately, Mary Ann Bevan did not benefit from such medical advancements. The condition had a severe psychological and economic impact on her.
The situation was manageable when Mary Ann was married to Thomas. Although she faced some criticism, she found solace in her husband and support from her family.
However, after Thomas passed away, things worsened, and Mary Ann struggled to support her children. The disease had drastically altered her physical appearance, affecting her entire body. In just a few years, she transformed from a beautiful young mother to an unrecognizable and dejected widow.
Due to her changed appearance, nobody wanted to hire her. Many employers were frightened by Mary Ann’s large features and didn't want a woman who attracted such attention working for them.
One day, Mary Ann came across a newspaper advertisement that would change her life forever. The advertisement read:
"Wanted: Ugliest woman. Nothing repulsive, maimed, or disfigured. Good pay guaranteed, and long engagement for successful applicant. Send recent photograph."
The ad was placed by Claude Bartram, an agent for Barnum and Bailey, an American circus. With mounting debts and obligations, Mary Ann had no choice but to respond.
Her motivation was solely to provide for her beloved children, not to seek fame or fortune. Motherhood remained Mary Ann’s top priority.
After submitting a photo of herself, Bartram contacted Mary Ann. Eventually, these images became widely known to the public.
While most people saw only a frightening image of a large woman, Bartram noticed something more. There were nuances in Mary Ann's demeanor and features that others overlooked.
"She was not repulsive at all," Bartram later explained. "She had the kind of face one usually finds in a giant—a powerful, masculine jaw, prominent cheekbones, nose, and forehead—but she was unblemished, healthy, and strong. She told me she did not like the idea of placing herself on exhibition. She was shy and did not want to be separated from her children."
"I told her she would earn £10 per week for a year, plus traveling expenses and all the money from the sale of picture postcards of herself, so she could provide for the education of her children."
Bartram saw beyond the surface, recognizing the unique aspects of Mary Ann's face and personality that others had missed.
When Mary Ann traveled by boat across the Atlantic in 1920, she was already well-known by the time she arrived in New York. Branded as "The Ugliest Woman on Earth," she appeared on the front cover of nearly every newspaper in the city.
Mary Ann went on to become a huge sensation at the Coney Island Circus, owned by successful Missouri showman Samuel Gumpertz.
Competing with bearded ladies, conjoined twins, and others with varied physical limitations, the newcomer from England outperformed her circus colleagues and became the main attraction.
However, many individuals objected to the immorality of using circus performers as props. Even in the 19th century, people strongly opposed exploiting the impairments of freak show performers for financial gain. Renowned neurosurgeon Harvey Cushing intervened, urging people to leave Mary Ann alone.
"This unfortunate woman who sits in the sideshow of Ringling Brothers 'between Fat Lady and Armless Wonder' and 'affects white lace hats, woolen mittens and high laced shoes' has a story which is far from mirth-provoking.
"She, previously a vigorous and good-looking young woman, has become the victim of a disease known as acromegaly," he wrote in a letter to Time magazine.
Despite these objections, regular folks continued to flock to the circus, and the directors made a fortune. Sadly, Mary Ann faced many challenges in New York. She was made to dress more masculinely to appear less appealing and feminine and had to endure jokes and remarks that undoubtedly diminished her sense of worth.
Despite the challenges, there was one significant benefit that made it worthwhile for Mary Ann. According to the Daily Star, she earned nearly $590,000 while working for the circus. Although she faced many hardships, she also amassed considerable wealth and even sold picture postcards of herself with a robotic smile.
With her earnings, Mary Ann was able to send her four children to an English boarding school. While it was undoubtedly painful for her to leave them on another continent, she was determined to do everything she could to secure a better future for them.
Mary Ann exemplified true beauty through her selflessness, showing what it means to sacrifice everything for loved ones.
She returned to France in 1925 for an exhibition but spent the rest of her life in New York, working at the Coney Island Dreamland Show.
Mary Ann passed away from natural causes in 1933 at the age of 59. Her children fulfilled her dying wish for her to be buried in her native country. She is interred at Ladywell and Brockley Cemetery in South London.
I respect Mary Ann for her determination and selflessness. Her story highlights her unwavering resolve to support her family, despite the lack of benefits that we have today. She was a mother who deeply loved her children and consistently put others before herself.
Rest in peace, Mary Ann—you truly deserve it.
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