Julia Pastrana had a tragic and complicated life story in the 19th century. She became known as the “Monkey Woman” and lived her life as a circus performer, a place that combined fame, exploitation and much speculation about her appearance and origins.
Born in Sinaloa, Mexico, in 1834, Julia had a rare genetic condition called terminal hypertrichosis. Because of this, his face and body were covered in thick hair. Furthermore, she also had hypertrophied gums, which made her considered exaggerated.
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Julia's appearance caused her to suffer from curious looks and discrimination from a very early age, leaving aside her intelligence and humanity.
Her story is told from different angles, but the main data was recorded during her career by the freak shows that were popular at the time.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons/Reproduction)
It is said that Julia lived in Sinaloa, Mexico, as previously mentioned, and that, under the influence of a man called Pedro Sanchez, she began to perform in these environments that exploited human figures in exchange for fame and money.
In 1854, she was 20 years old and moved to the United States, where she began performing on Broadway at the Gothic Hall in Manhattan.
Then, she joined the J.W. Beach circus team and went on tour to various places in the United States, North America, Europe and Asia.
During this journey, she met a man named Theodore Lent, who would influence her life in the future. Lent became Julia's manager and they later married. Reports indicate that the marriage was arranged by Lent to earn money from Julia's performances.
Despite her talent in dancing and singing, what increased her popularity were the stories that were created to tell her origins.
She was presented as the “Monkey Woman”, belonging to a tribe where everyone looked like monkeys. Furthermore, Julia Pastrana was considered a hybrid being of human and animal.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons/Reproduction)
Years later, Julia became pregnant with Lent and had her son while on tour in Russia, in 1860. The little baby was born looking like his mother, but unfortunately, he did not survive and died days after birth.
In addition to being devastated by the loss of her only child, Júlia suffered postpartum complications and also died five days later.
Even after her death, her image did not receive the respect it deserved. Lent, her husband, sold Julia's body and the baby. The bodies were later taken to Moscow University, where they were embalmed so they could be displayed in museums and galleries.
Thus, for decades, the bodies of Julia Pastrana and her son were displayed side by side by the Europe and the United States, continuing the horror show that accompanied the trajectory of artist.
Only in February 2013, Julia was buried in Sinaloa, her hometown in Mexico. The bodies of the honorable woman and her son only had a proper rest after the movement of politicians, Mexican activists and artists who fought for her to receive this honor, even if in a late.
Rest in peace, Julia!