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.
Fans respond to Kevin Costner’s presence at the Golden Globes—and everyone’s saying the same thing
2023 was a tough year for beloved actor Kevin Costner. After 18 years, he and his wife Christine Baumgartner divorced.
It has been reported that it was Baumgartner who filed for a divorce, which left the Yellowstone star rather shocked by his now ex-wife’s sudden decision.
People close to the couple, however, claim that Baumgartner hated the fact that Costner was working long hours and was away from home for longer periods of time. “During filming, Kevin is not around very much. His absence has been very hard for her,” a source reportedly said.
“Christine doesn’t want him to throw himself into another project. He has been obsessed with filming Horizon since last year. She wasn’t happy about it,” a source reported.
“At times, his career has taken precedence over his home life,” another source added.
“All of this success and excitement over the new project probably took his attention away from his family more than he realized. Since it didn’t look like that would change and likely could get worse, it caused tension at home,” the source added.
After the initial shock and the ugly child support battle, Costner was seen with another woman, singer Jewel.
The two were recently seen together at a tennis event on Richard Branson’s Necker Island for the Inspiring Children Foundation.
As per TMZ, the two took a plane to the Caribbean and spent nearly a week together.
An insider told the magazine, “There was definitely something going on,” confirming that the pair indeed vacationed in the Caribbean together.
Well, no matter how hard he tries to stay away from the spotlight, that’s not an easy thing to do, especially if you are as famous as Costner is.
During the weekend, after presenting an award at the Golden Globes, Costner became a discussion topic. He, alongside America Ferrera, presented the award for Best Female Actor in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy (The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri won).
At one moment, Costner quoted Ferrera’s monologue from the hit movie Barbie, and that triggered loud applause.
“You know, you have a scene that I really love,” Costner stated on stage. “I think a lot of people enjoy that scene. ‘It’s simply difficult to be a woman.’ You’re aware that ‘You’re so attractive.’ You’re so brilliant, and it hurts me that you don’t believe you’re good enough. “That was pretty good.”
Ferrera’s reply was: “Did you, Kevin Costner, memorize my monologue about womanhood from Barbie?”
He confessed that he didn’t really memorize the entire thing but went on to say, “But it’s an important message, and it always serves to remind me what’s possible in cinema. It simply reminds me that when we take our time, get it right, and cinema is at its best, it can be about moments you’ll never forget.”
The duo’s back-and-forth was praised and appreciated by the audience.
“I was laughing so hard with Kevin Costner trying to be serious…and aging well!” “Yay America!” one individual wrote.
“He worked as much on that segment as he did on his english accent in Robin Hood,” another person said.
“Lmao he’s trying so hard to stay serious ,” a third said.
You can take a look at Costner and Ferrera’s award presentation below.
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