Ape-Faced Woman

Who Is She?

• Julia Pastrana
• Born in 1834 and died on March 25th, 1860.
• Her side show name was "Ape Face Woman".  
• Her act was singing and dancing. 

Background

• She was sold from her mother to Theodore Lent.
• He was her manager and her husband.
• He created the legacy of the "Ape Face Woman".
• She spent 10 years in the sideshow business.
• She also had a son who died in childbirth.

Why Does She Look This Way?

• Julia was born with hypertrichosis and hyperplasia.
• Hypertrichosis causes her body to be covered in hair.
• Hyperplasia causes her lips and gums to be thick.
• Hypertrichosis affects your integumentary system.
• Hyperplasia affects your digestive system.

How did it start?

• She was born with the disease.
• It was caused by a genetic mutation.
• It can be passed down through family.
• She also passed it down to her son.

Did You Know?

• She spoke 3 different languages.
• She was a gifted dancer and singer.
• It cost tons of money to see her perform.
• Her body was mummified and toured around the world.
• She was not considered human to some scientists. 

Modern Day- Supatra Sasuphan

• She is a fourteen year old girl.
• Lives in Thailand with her family.
• She is proud of her features.

Her Life

• Her community has embraced her.
• She is a popular and outgoing child.
• She is determined to not let her condition prevent her from living.
• She loves to help others and play with her friends.
• When she gets older she would love to become a doctor.

Treatment

• Laser beams and hyperthermia probes are used.
• It destroys the hair follicles in her face.
• It is a delicate procedure but must be administered carefully.

More Facts

• She was in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's hairiest girl.
• People back then with hypertrichosis was branded as "werewolves".
• It's actually caused by a faulty chromosome in the body.
• Julia's body at one point in time was lost and couldn't be found. 
• Until it was discovered at the Oslo Forensic Institute in 1990..