Lizzie Velasquez was born on March 13, 1989, in Texas, USA, weighing just 2.1 kg. Her small size was obvious from the start, and soon doctors diagnosed her with Marfanoid–Progeroid–Lipodystrophy Syndrome, a rare disorder that stops her body from storing fat. This made her look different, and she could never gain weight, staying under 28 kg as an adult. Also, it damaged her eyesight, leaving her left eye blind.
Growing up, Lizzie faced constant bullying. At school, kids called her names like “skinny,” “old lady,” and “world’s ugliest girl.” An internet troll even posted a video of her, calling her the “world’s ugliest woman,” which got thousands of cruel comments.
But Lizzie didn’t let this define her. Instead, she took control of her story. She started sharing her experiences on YouTube, and her channel got a loyal following. In 2013, her TEDx Talk went viral, changing her life. She then got a degree in communications at Texas State University and became a popular motivational speaker, traveling the world to inspire others.
She also wrote books, used her YouTube platform to share positive content with nearly a million followers, and recently spoke out against a harmful TikTok trend using her image.
Lizzie shows that beauty isn’t about looks but about character, strength, and kindness. At 36, she’s turned her pain into purpose, proving that inner strength can overcome any obstacle. Her story is a hope for those struggling with self – image, teaching that self – worth comes from within.
