Julia Pastrana, a woman born with unique physical characteristics, entered the harsh world of 19th-century freak shows in the 1850s. Her life, a story of both talent and tragedy, was marked by exploitation at the hands of those who sought to profit from her appearance rather than celebrate her humanity. Pastrana’s journey through the freak show circuit intertwined with the ambitions of a man named Theodore Lent, who would define the course of her life and, tragically, even her death.
Listen NowThe Rise of a Performer
Julia Pastrana first emerged on the freak show circuit in the mid-19th century, captivating audiences with her distinct appearance. Often referred to as the “Bearded Lady” or the “Bear Woman” due to her condition, hypertrichosis, which caused excessive hair growth across her body and face, she became a sought-after attraction. Theodore Lent, a showman with an eye for profit, saw an opportunity in Julia and took control of her career, managing her performances across Europe.
By 1855, Lent married Julia, further solidifying his control over her life and finances. Together, they continued to tour, with Lent most likely taking all of the proceeds from her performances. But Julia Pastrana was more than just an object of curiosity. She was a multi-talented woman who defied the limitations society placed on her. John Woolf, a guest on Kate Lister’s Betwixt the Sheets, said
In 1855, he married her and they performed around Europe…he most likely took all the proceeds. She spoke numerous languages, could ride on horse back and was a great singer.
A Tragic End
In 1860, Julia Pastrana gave birth to a baby boy who inherited her condition. Tragically, both mother and child died shortly after the birth, cutting short the life of a woman who had endured so much. For most, the story would have ended there, but for Theodore Lent, Julia’s death marked a different kind of opportunity. Faced with the loss of his primary source of income, Lent made a chilling decision: he had his wife and child embalmed, turning them into a macabre exhibit.
Woolf tells Kate that
She gave birth to a boy who had the same condition as her. Heartbreakingly they both died and Lent saw his opportunity of income slipping away.
For years after their deaths, Theodore Lent continued to display Julia Pastrana and her son to audiences across Europe, refusing to let death be the end of the show. It was a disturbing chapter in an already grim story of exploitation, as Lent paraded their preserved bodies in front of paying crowds, further dehumanizing the woman he had once called his wife.
Poster showcasing Julia Patsrana at the show
Image Credit: wellcomeimages.org
The Legacy of Exploitation
Theodore Lent’s obsession with profiting from those he controlled did not end with Julia Pastrana. In the 1860s, he married another bearded woman named Marie Bartell, whom he presented as Julia’s sister. This was yet another attempt to capitalize on society’s fascination with physical difference, continuing his pattern of exploitation.
Julia Pastrana’s story serves as a stark reminder of the cruelty faced by many who were part of the freak show industry. Reduced to mere spectacles, their humanity was often ignored or dismissed in favor of profit. But in recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the injustices they endured.
In a symbolic act of redemption, Julia Pastrana’s remains were finally repatriated to her native Mexico in 2013. After more than 150 years of posthumous exploitation, she was laid to rest with dignity, allowing her story to come to a more peaceful conclusion.
A Life Remembered
Julia Pastrana’s life was one of resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges. Despite the cruelty she endured, she was a woman of talent, intelligence, and strength. Her story is a haunting reminder of the ways in which society can fail those who are different, but it also speaks to the enduring human spirit. Today, she is remembered not only as a figure in the history of freak shows but as a woman who deserves to be seen beyond the spectacle.
