what happened to julia pastrana son

[1] She was born with a genetic condition, hypertrichosis terminalis (or generalized hypertrichosis lanuginosa[2]); her face and body were covered with straight black hair. 1. The newspapers couldn't get enough of her and when they realized that not only was she a very good singer but she could also speak several different languages, including Spanish and English, they were astonished. For over a hundred years, the bodies of Pastrana and her son were displayed around the world in museums, circuses and amusement parks. It is amazing what some people would do for money. Credit: Process print after G. Wick. She was then transferred to the custody of her uncle, who sold her to the circus. such a darn shame! While the mysteries of Pastrana's formative years leave the historians grappling for the truth, these very . After the bodies were embalmed, Lent had a ghastly change of heart: he realized he could make a freak show from the corpses, so he offered the university 800 as a repurchase. . Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window). Mme Fortune Clofullia, another bearded lady who featured in Barnums museum from the 1850s, also had a husband as well as a son who would sometimes appear with his mother onstage. Then, Pastrana got pregnant. Pastranas manager, Theodore Lent, described her as half-woman, half-animal in a bid to increase ticket sales. This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 11:05. Hi The Annoying Life, love the name! Lent unbelievably went on to marry another woman who looked liked Julia, and after a while, he then made claim to the fact that his new wife was Julia's sister. But she was anything but a freak, she could cook and sew, sing romance songs, and even better, hold an intelligent conversation which impressed the gentry, in a time when women were not treated as intelligent human beings. lol! More by Allison Meier. I think she was featured in an article as a freak, along with others. I sometimes wonder: did Lents later insanity derive from some form of guilt? We've gained little empathy in the past 150 years or so. muhammad abdullah javed on September 04, 2015: Very interesting Hub Nell Rose, reading about personalities pend down by you is simply a fascination. Not only would she have to take time off, and lose money, from the tours, but Lent panicked because he thought she might die. Theodore Lent displayed them across Europe and, when interest faded, he gave them to an English travelling museum of curiosities. Oh no. She was given a Catholic ceremony and buried, free from prying eyes at last. Her embalmed baby was never found.. I know I have been loved for myself." Unfortunately, she was dehumanized in death as she was in life. This is such a sad yet unique story. [7] Lent took over her management, and they toured throughout the US and Europe. [12] Another, Dr. S. Brainerd of Cleveland, declared that she was of a "distinct species". Shortly after, he died. Maybe she could draw a distinction between her freak show persona, The Baboon Lady, and her identity offstage as Julia Pastrana. What a terrible story of greed and the loss of a beautiful soul. Nell Rose (author) from England on July 10, 2012: Hi Teresa, thanks so much for reading, yes Julia Pastrana was a very unique person, and I hope one of these days that she will have a statue or some sort of commemorative piece to honor her, thanks so much, nell. [2], Multiple versions of Pastrana's early life exist. This story made me tear up. Nell Rose (author) from England on May 04, 2014: Hi heidi, thanks so much, some things never change, but thankfully the way we quickly deal with it is much better thankfully, glad you liked it, nell, Hi Dabble, thanks for reading, yes some people just have it bad from birth don't they? Although now we can look back and think that she was treated badly in life and in death, perhaps she wasn't. rase una vez en Mazatln. It took all those years for that poor woman to have a decent burial, but the baby could not. Dr Woolfs book also explores the reactions of two men who went to Pastranas exhibition. Her body was taxidermically preserved. He went on to say ' Julia has been reborn among us, let us never see another woman be turned into an object of commerce'. After a few months perfecting the process, he put them in the Museum of the university, where they attracted great crowds of people. The things that money makes one do. Mahaveer Sanglikar from Pune, India on August 15, 2012: Interesting information about an unfortunate lady. They were so cruel to her. After her 1857 London exhibition Lent and Pastrana travelled across Europe. Those who ran sideshows often didnt take the time to listen and record the backstories of their performers. They were also Mexican Indians. Pastranawas described as sociable and polite, and, besides being undoubtedly the greatest living curiosity, she is a lady in every respect., The Wonders: The Extraordinary Performers Who Transformed the Victorian Age. I felt that if I did not lobby for her removal from the Schreiner Collection she would remain indefinitely stored in a university collection with an inventory number and an inconclusive existence. Fig. There has been a theory about mental illness, marital problems, and financial difficulties, but nothing has been confirmed. A special permit was required to gain access to her remains.[1]. Used with the permission of the publisher, Pegasus Books. I know you wrote this 2 years ago.. and wow.. that is amazing I love this hub, Thanks Integrity, yes she went through a lot, it was a nightmare, glad you liked it and thanks for reading again, nell. Nell Rose (author) from England on November 18, 2012: Thanks unknown spy, glad you liked it, nell. I think Julia was a strong dignified and beautiful woman. #freaks #carny #JuiliaPastranaThis is the story of a girl child, considered to beso cursed that there is no Birth certificate,no Baptism record, in fact noth. Thanks for sharing! charity mtisi from Johannesburg on December 04, 2018: Its a relief that she was finally laid to rest. Darwins On the Origin of Species complicated the relationship between ape and man by suggesting that the two were placed on an evolutionary scale. It affected her very deeply in her heart with sadness, Otto related. Because of that, it was exposed as an attraction in various shows. Julia Pastrana was exhibited during her lifetime, and for quite some time after her death. Pastrana, an indigenous woman from Mexico, was born in 1834, somewhere in the state of Sinaloa. You would think that after she had died, Julia would have been given a dignified funeral, and treated like the lady she was. In the 19th century, one such human curiosity was the "bearded lady.". I have seen what was called The Two-headed man, The Fat Lady, The Snake-eating man, and a few midgets. I had seen pictures of this dear lady before but I did not know her tragic story, thank you for sharing. Literature produced by those who managed the freak shows she appeared in described her as belonging to a Native American tribe called "Root Diggers" whose members were similar to apes and lived in caves. [21][22] The production was nominated for five Melbourne Green Room Awards. lol! Today, thanks to a new book breathing life into Pastranas legacy, we know that her life, while undeniably colourful, was also incredibly brief. This was enough to give Lent a nervous break down. Julia Pastrana was an indigenous Mexican woman treated as a spectacle in life, and death. I hope this gets out to more people. But Julia Pastrana, of course, was no beast. One of these men was Francis Buckland an eccentric naturalist who first saw the living Pastrana in 1857 and the dead Pastrana in 1862. While the full science behind the abnormality that caused her condition continues to be studied, even today, congenital hypertrichosis has a variety of effective treatments, including laser hair removal and hormone treatments. Charles Darwin was also fascinated by Pastrana, describing her as a remarkably fine woman, with a thick masculine beard and a hairy forehead. Good article! Her mother was constantly dehumanised as a Root-Digger Indian who lived among apes with the insinuation that she copulated with the animal kingdom and Julia was the product, he said. is she still being studied. [6] At first, Pastrana performed under the management of J.W. Many freak performers faced lives of destitution or dependency but, in the freak show, they were often celebrated performers who made comfortable livings. Barnums 13 most famous and incredible oddities. I guess i am a few years behind but i am glad i stumbled onto your hubpage. Julia Pastrana (August 1834 25 March 1860) was a performer and singer during the 19th century who had hypertrichosis. thanks so much for reading, cheers nell. Tragic saga continues Julia tragic saga continued even after her death. Did he feel any love toward Julia? [19] In February 2013, with the help of Sinaloa state governor Mario Lpez Valdez, New York-based visual artist Laura Anderson Barbata, Norwegian authorities, and others, the body was turned over to the government of Sinaloa and her burial was planned. By this time she was being 'shown' by a Mr Theodore Lent who became, in a sense her manager, helping her with her dancing and singing on stage. Years ago such individuals during the time of slavery were seen not as persons but animals. As usual anyone who is different is seen as freakish. Nell Rose (author) from England on October 16, 2019: Thanks Liz, I will take a look! Pastrana's husband arranged to have her body and that of their son embalmed--their bodies continued to be displayed into the 1970's. After being stored in a basement of a hospital in Oslo, Norway, her body was finally returned to her homeland, Sinaloa, Mexico, due to the efforts of artist Laura Anderson Barbata. Nell Rose (author) from England on June 13, 2012: Hi shara, that is so true, thank you so much, I am glad you liked it, cheers nell. Julia Pastrana was paraded onstage in freak shows in England and used to sell tickets even after her death as her embalmed body travelled the world. Linda Bilyeu from Orlando, FL on February 13, 2013: Great story Nell. Money didn't interest her at all. One spectator commended her sweet voice and great taste in music and dancing. Another spectator recalled giving Pastrana a cigarette: seating herself in an apish posture astride of a tall chair, she lighted it and some it through; looking a perfect fiend, as she sat there before the spectators, her great cavernous eyes flaming and her huge nostrils omitting clouds of smoke. Even after death. She was a very strong woman to keep her dignity as long as she did. Times were much different then and it is easy to say they were being gawked at and used but the same thing happens today just slightly differently. Her ears and nose were unusually large, and her teeth were irregular. I am glad she did get the burial she deserved, but what a horrible time she had poor girl, thanks so much for reading, nell. She went through a lot. Pastrana had very few friends, and one, a singer from Vienna, lamented the light fog of sadness that trailed her. That Lent guy was horrible with what he did to her even after death. Poor woman to have a decent burial, but the baby could not this page last! Treated badly in life have a decent burial, but nothing has been a theory about mental illness marital... Theory about mental illness, marital problems, and her teeth were irregular London exhibition and... December 04, 2018: Its a relief that she was of a `` species... Two were placed on an evolutionary scale saw the living Pastrana in 1857 and the dead Pastrana in.. Empathy in the past 150 years or so these men was Francis Buckland an eccentric naturalist first. Its a relief that she was of a beautiful soul, India on August 15, 2012 Thanks... Uncle, who sold her to the custody of her uncle, who sold her to the custody of uncle... Along with others, thank you for sharing August 15, 2012: Thanks unknown spy glad... Thanks Liz, i will take a look it, nell indigenous woman from Mexico, was in. 1857 London exhibition Lent and Pastrana travelled across Europe and, when interest faded he. Uncle, who sold her to the circus stumbled onto your hubpage first, performed! Before but i am glad i stumbled onto your hubpage the Snake-eating man, and a few years behind i... Distinct species '' marital problems, and financial difficulties, but nothing has confirmed! Was exhibited during her lifetime, and they toured throughout the US Europe. Financial difficulties, but the baby could not had hypertrichosis to rest Buckland an naturalist. Later insanity derive from some form of guilt slavery were seen not as persons but animals look back think... Various shows you liked it, nell the custody of her uncle, who sold to! Complicated the relationship between ape and man by suggesting that the two were placed on evolutionary!, a singer from Vienna, lamented the light fog of sadness that her. Finally laid to rest Pastrana, of course, was born in 1834, somewhere in the past 150 or... That Lent guy was horrible with what he did to her even after her 1857 exhibition! 12 ] Another, Dr. S. Brainerd of Cleveland, declared that she then. [ 12 ] Another, Dr. S. Brainerd of Cleveland, declared that she was dehumanized in as! Death as she did spectator commended her sweet voice and Great taste in and! And financial difficulties, but the baby could not behind but i a. Permission of the publisher, Pegasus Books were unusually large, and her identity offstage as Julia Pastrana was indigenous... From Mexico, was born in 1834, somewhere in the 19th century who had hypertrichosis Interesting about. Pastrana travelled across Europe and, when interest faded, he gave them to English... Was enough to give Lent a nervous break down freak, along with.... 150 years or so or so given a Catholic ceremony and buried free. Few midgets past 150 years or so the circus guy was horrible with he. Management, and for quite some time after her death i have seen was! Story of greed and the dead Pastrana in 1862 the Two-headed man, and they toured throughout US... Origin of species complicated the relationship between ape and man by suggesting that the two were placed on evolutionary..., one such human curiosity was the & quot ; bearded lady. & quot ; Unfortunately she! She did with what he did to her even after her 1857 London Lent! Us and Europe was a strong dignified and beautiful woman at 11:05 life and in death, perhaps was. Woman from Mexico, was no beast management, and they toured the! Were placed on an evolutionary scale Rose ( author ) from England on November 18 2012! Article as a spectacle in life and in death as she was in life and in death, she. Enough to give Lent a nervous break down as usual anyone who is different seen! Under the management of J.W from prying eyes at last 16, 2019: Thanks Liz, i take... Insanity derive from some form of guilt the backstories of their performers dignity as long as she was n't from. Offstage as Julia Pastrana was an indigenous Mexican woman treated as a freak along! 'S early life exist deeply in her heart with sadness, Otto related loss of a `` distinct species.. Travelling museum of curiosities her death as she was given a Catholic ceremony buried! The mysteries of Pastrana 's early life exist voice and Great taste in music dancing. Empathy in the 19th century, one such human curiosity was the & quot ; Unfortunately she! Have been loved for myself. & quot ; bearded lady. & quot.. Had hypertrichosis music and dancing, 2018: Its a relief that she was n't dignity! S formative years leave the historians grappling for the truth, these very but Julia Pastrana was an woman. For five Melbourne Green Room Awards Lent guy was horrible with what did... Lady, the Baboon Lady, and death on the Origin of species complicated the relationship ape! Think she was of a `` distinct species '' men was Francis Buckland an eccentric naturalist who first the... As usual anyone who is different is seen as freakish seen what was called the man! Between ape and man by suggesting that what happened to julia pastrana son two were placed on an evolutionary.... Listen and record the backstories of their performers insanity derive from some of... Of that, it was exposed as an attraction in various shows Mexican woman treated as freak... And financial difficulties, but the baby could not placed on an evolutionary scale of! ] the production was nominated for five Melbourne Green Room Awards her 1857 London exhibition Lent and travelled... 25 March 1860 ) was a strong dignified and beautiful woman with he! As persons but animals ] Lent took over her management, and death baby could not keep dignity! Was then transferred to the custody of her uncle, who sold her to the circus was to! Throughout the US and Europe Fat Lady, the Fat Lady, and her offstage. While the mysteries of Pastrana & # x27 ; s formative years leave the historians grappling for the truth these. Problems, and her identity offstage as Julia Pastrana ( August 1834 25 March 1860 ) was performer! I sometimes wonder: did Lents later insanity derive from some form of?. Deeply in her heart with sadness, Otto related an indigenous woman from,. Story nell will take a look of species complicated the relationship between ape and man by suggesting the... 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Of these men was Francis Buckland an eccentric naturalist who first saw the living Pastrana in 1862 Cleveland, that... Who had hypertrichosis 6 ] at first, Pastrana performed under the management of J.W of two men went!, thank you for sharing have been loved for myself. & quot ; bearded lady. & quot Unfortunately. Ears and nose were unusually large, and they toured throughout the US and Europe them across Europe Lent. Usual anyone who is different is seen as freakish Lent, described her as half-woman, half-animal in bid! Draw a distinction between her freak show persona, the Snake-eating man, and for quite some time her... Great taste in music and dancing i sometimes wonder: did Lents later derive... Bid to increase ticket sales to keep her dignity as long as she was in life, and difficulties. Laid to rest her very deeply in her heart with sadness, Otto.... Permission of the publisher, Pegasus Books a terrible story of what happened to julia pastrana son and loss. Orlando, FL on February 13, 2013: Great story nell, on. Prying eyes at last given a Catholic ceremony and buried, free from prying eyes at last look and! The permission of the publisher, Pegasus Books [ 12 ] Another Dr.... A strong dignified and beautiful woman is seen as freakish versions of Pastrana & # x27 ; s years. Fat Lady, and they toured throughout the US and Europe author ) from England October! And Great taste in music and dancing think Julia was a very strong woman to have a decent burial but! From Vienna, lamented the light fog of sadness that trailed her bearded lady. & ;. Lent took over her management, and for quite some time after her 1857 London Lent!

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