Mary Ann Bevan Biography: Husband, Age, Height, Kids, Career, Death, Story

Mary Ann Webster Bevan, also known as Mary Ann Bevan was an English nurse who, after developing acromegaly, became a notable sideshow performer, often billed as “the ugliest woman in the world.”

Her resilience in the face of personal tragedy and physical challenges allowed her to provide for her family through her performances at Coney Island’s Dreamland and the Ringling Brothers Circus.

Profile

• Full Name: Mary Ann Webster Bevan
• Stage Name: Mary Ann Bevan
• Born: December 20, 1874
• Died: December 26, 1933 (Age: 59 years old)
• Birthplace: Plaistow, Newham, London, England
• Nationality: English
• Occupation: Nurse, Sideshow Performer
• Height: 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m)
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Webster
• Siblings: Seven
• Spouse: Thomas Bevan (M.1902-1914)
• Children: Four
• Relationship: Widowed
• Net Worth: Estimated $1.5 million USD

Early Life and Education

Mary Ann Bevan, a dedicated nurse and later sideshow performer, was born on December 20, 1874, in Plaistow, East London, to Mr. and Mrs. Webster in a working-class family of eight children. Described as cheerful and attractive in her youth, she developed an early interest in healthcare, training to become a nurse in the late 1890s.

Details about her formal education are limited, but her nursing career suggests she completed vocational training typical for the profession at the time. Her early life was marked by promise until the onset of acromegaly in her early 30s altered her path.

Her ethnicity was English, and she was raised in a Christian household.

Career

Mary Ann Bevan, a resilient nurse and sideshow performer, began her career in healthcare, working as a nurse in London. After marrying Thomas Bevan in 1902, she started exhibiting symptoms of acromegaly around age 32, which caused abnormal growth, facial distortion, headaches, and vision loss.

Following her husband’s sudden death in 1914, she faced financial hardship as a single mother of four. To support her family, she entered and won an “Ugliest Woman” contest in 1914, beating 250 competitors.

This led to her being hired by Samuel W. Gumpertz in 1920 to perform at Coney Island’s Dreamland sideshow, where she spent most of her career. She also appeared with the Ringling Brothers Circus and at the World’s Fair, earning significant income—reportedly 20,000 pounds by 1916, equivalent to over $1.5 million USD in 2022.

Her performances, while controversial, showcased her determination to provide for her children despite societal mockery.

Social Media

Social media platforms did not exist during Mary Ann Bevan’s lifetime.

Personal Life

Mary Ann Bevan, a devoted nurse and sideshow performer, was widowed at age 39 after her husband, Thomas Bevan, a Kentish farmer, died unexpectedly in 1914. Married in 1902, they had four children, including a son, Sidney Thomas Bevan, who later served as a Petty Officer Stoker.

Standing at 5 feet 7 inches and weighing approximately 168 lbs (76 kg) at the time of her death due to acromegaly, Mary Ann endured severe physical challenges, including headaches and vision impairment.

Net Worth

Mary Ann Bevan, a determined nurse and sideshow performer, had an estimated net worth equivalent to $1.5 million USD in 2022, based on reports that she earned 20,000 pounds by 1916 from her performances. Her income primarily came from her work at Coney Island’s Dreamland sideshow and appearances with the Ringling Brothers Circus.