Agence France-PresseFebruary 11, 2013 21:45
The remains of Julia Pastrana, a Mexican who was paraded in fairs and circuses as the "ape woman" in 19th century Europe, have returned home from Norway 153 years after her death.
Pastrana suffered from a rare disease -- congenital generalized hypertrichosis terminalis, or CGHT -- that covered her face and body with thick hair and gave her fat lips and gums.
Born in 1834, the woman, who measured 1.34 meters (four feet, five inches) and had a gift for dancing and singing, was brought to Europe by an American businessman to be shown in circuses and fairs.
Follow us: