Mary Ann Bevan, an English woman from the late 19th to early 20th century, found herself thrust into sideshows and circuses due to a diagnosis of acromegaly, a rare and disfiguring condition.
Initially leading a typical life, Mary Ann Webster married Thomas Bevan and had four children. However, upon Thomas’s death, Mary Ann began exhibiting symptoms of acromegaly, causing her appearance to drastically change.
With limited options for employment due to her altered appearance, Mary Ann embraced opportunities in sideshows and carnivals, eventually gaining fame as the “Ugliest Woman in the World.”
Despite facing ridicule and exploitation, Mary Ann persevered, earning a significant income for herself and her children through her sideshow performances.
Her popularity soared, and she became a sought-after act, performing in venues such as Dreamland in Coney Island and even Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus.
Despite finding love and moments of pampering, Mary Ann continued to work until her death in 1933 at the age of 59. She was laid to rest in England, but her legacy endured, resurfacing briefly in the early 2000s before objections led to the discontinuation of a mocking Hallmark card featuring her likeness.