Born on December 20, 1874, in Plaistow, East London, Mary Ann was initially a respected nurse and considered quite beautiful. She married Thomas Bevan in 1902, and together they had four children. Tragically, Thomas died after 14 years, leaving Mary Ann to care for the family alone.
At 32, Mary Ann’s face began to distort due to a mysterious condition, which turned out to be acromegaly, a hormonal disorder causing excessive growth of bones in the face, hands, and feet. With little medical knowledge available at the time, Mary Ann struggled both financially and emotionally.
In desperate need of support for her children, Mary Ann responded to an advertisement seeking the “ugliest woman.” Although this was demeaning, she saw it as her only option. She was soon contacted by circus agent Claude Bartram, who offered her a weekly stipend and financial security for her children’s education.
Despite the label of “ugliest woman,” Bartram described her as having striking features. Mary Ann became a sensation at Coney Island’s Dreamland Circus, where her story reached Dr. Harvey Cushing, a prominent neurosurgeon. He identified her condition as acromegaly, shedding light on her suffering.
Mary Ann continued to work in the circus, earning enough to send her children to boarding school. She passed away at 59 from natural causes, her final wish to be buried in England fulfilled by her children. Her story remains a testament to a mother’s love and resilience.
