Lizzie Velasquez, once labeled “the ugliest woman in the world,” has transformed her painful past into inspiration for thousands. Born on March 13, 1989, in Texas, she weighed just 2.1 kg and was diagnosed with an extremely rare condition called Marfa syndrome, which prevents the body from storing fat, disfigures the face, and left her left eye permanently blind. Even as an adult, she weighed only 28 kg.
Throughout her life, Velasquez faced relentless bullying, being called names like “monster” and “world’s ugliest girl.” Instead of letting the cruelty define her, she chose to rise above it. “It was a long period of pain, then anger. I wanted to be the one to decide who I was in the eyes of everyone,” she said.
Velasquez began posting videos on YouTube addressing bullying and eventually pursued motivational speaking. In December 2013, her TEDx Talk went viral, inspiring a global audience. She earned a communications degree from Texas State University and now runs a YouTube channel sharing positive messages and volunteering experiences.
At 32, Velasquez is an activist, speaker, author, and the subject of the documentary Braveheart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story. She continues to advocate against online harassment and encourages individuality: “Being yourself is the best thing… being different will make you special, and that specialness will make you beautiful.” Her story is a testament to resilience, courage, and the power of self-acceptance.
