The story of Mary Ann Bevan, who was considered ‘The ugliest woman in the world,’ starts in the 19th century, a dark period of the American culture when ‘freak shows,’ traveling circuses showing people with certain deformities and disabilities, were at the peak of their popularity.
Today, it is highly unacceptable to treat people with disabilities with disrespect, but back in the day, no one believed it was morally wrong to dub them 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 by the society. On top of that, she was a very attractive woman who was offered many possibilities.
In 1902, Mary met the love of her life, a man named Thomas Bevan. The two married and welcomed four children together, but their happiness didn’t last long. After 14 years, Thomas passed away, leaving Mary heartbroken.
Her life became difficult as she was left to take care and provide for her children all by herself.
Unfortunately, around the time she turned 32, Mary started experiencing strange symptoms. Her face started changing gradually and she didn’t know what was happening or what caused that change which impacted her both psychologically and financially. Mary’s bones grew big, and her face became deformed. As a result, she lost her job and was unable to provide for her children any longer.
Back in the day, no one could diagnose her, but this poor woman suffered from acromegaly, a hormonal disorder that develops when the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone during adulthood, when a change in height doesn’t occur. Instead, the increase in bone size is limited to the bones of the hands, feet and face.
Today, a lot more is knows about this condition and there are ways to keep it under control, which wasn’t the case during the time Mary lived.
Crushed, heartbroken, and poor, this woman saw an ad one day which read, “Wanted: Ugliest woman. Nothing repulsive, maimed or disfigured. Good pay guaranteed, and long engagement for successful applicant. Send recent photograph.”
No matter how awful she felt about this ‘job,’ she saw no way out of her situation. She simply needed to do anything in order to feed her children. Above all, she was a mother.
Mary answered the ad and she was soon 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 kind of face one usually finds in a giant, a powerful, masculine jaw, prominent cheek-bones, 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,” Bartram said, according to Daily Star.
“I told her she would earn £10 per week for a year, travelling expenses and all the money from the sale of picture postcards of herself, so she could provide for the education of her children.”
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In no time, magazines were filled with Mary Ann’s photos and everyone recognized her as ‘the ugliest woman on Earth.’
Her popularity brought her to the Dreamland Circus in Coney Island, New York, one of the most famous circuses there were. Mary Ann became an attraction, but then a doctor named Harvey Cushing, a leading neurosurgeon, spotted her and knew there was more behind ger huge face that he wanted to explore thoroughly.
“This unfortunate woman who sits in the sideshow of Ringling Brothers ‘between Fat Lady and Armless Wonder’ and ‘affects white lace hats, woollen 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.
Mary Ann spent her life working at the circus and she was reported to have earned a small fortune which enabled 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 of natural causes. Her final wish was to be buried in her homeland, England, and her children fulfilled her wish. She is resting at the Ladywell and Brockley Cemetery in South London.
This woman’s sad, yet fascinating life story speaks of the mother’s love for her children more than anything else.
Kevin Durant Says There Were ‘Better Candidates’ for Olympic Roster Than Caitlin Clark
During a recent appearance, Durant stated, “I think she’s going to definitely be on one of these teams going forward but right now, there were better candidates out there.”
NBA champion Kevin Durant supports USA Basketball’s choice to not include Caitlin Clark on their squad for the Olympics.
During a conversation with the Wall Street Journal’s Emma Tucker at Journal House during The Cannes Lions Festival, Durant, 35, stated there were “better candidates” for the roster. The 22-year-old’s exclusion from the women’s basketball team competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics sparked intense debate among fans and analysts.
When questioned about the Indiana Fever rookie, the Phoenix Suns player stated that he believes there are still “proper steps you’ve got to take in our world to be considered an Olympian.”
Durant said, along with his Boardroom colleague Rich Kleiman, “I think she’s going to definitely be on one of these teams going forward but right now, there were better candidates out there.”
WNBA players Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Sabrina Ionescu, and Kelsey Plum have all been chosen for Team USA’s 2024 squad.
In addition, he expressed admiration for the WNBA and their efforts in “showcasing” the first overall pick. She is being brilliantly showcased by the WNBA. Every other day, I watch her games on ESPN,” Durant remarked.
“I see her in conversations about whatever topic they’re discussing; there’s a lot of discussion about the game right now, so that’s good too,”
LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Durant, who will play for Team USA in Paris, said that Clark should “continue to keep showing up every day” as she adjusts to life in the NBA.
He mentioned Las Vegas Aces two-time MVP A’ja Wilson when he said, “I think as she continues to keep getting better as a player, her production on the court gets better, then the league will grow along with some of the other women who are coming in.”
Durant continued, “There are just so many amazing players in our league that Caitlin has helped bring attention to, and that will help the league grow over time.”
Speaking to reporters on June 9, Clark expressed her satisfaction with the selection following the unveiling of the Olympic roster.
According to ESPN, Clark stated, “I’m excited for the girls that are on the team.” “I am aware that this is the world’s most competitive squad, and I also understand that my inclusion on the team or exclusion from it might have happened in either scenario. I will be cheering them on to the gold. It will be enjoyable to watch the Olympics because I grew up watching them,” the Fever guard added.
To be honest, I’m not disappointed. It’s a dream, but it offers me something to strive for. I hope to be able to visit there someday. It’s just a bit more motivation, in my opinion. You recall that. Hopefully, I can be there when the next four years roll around.
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