| The Illustrated Lady | |
|---|---|
| Born | Julia Gnuse 1959 Flint, Michigan |
| Residence | Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, California |
| Known for | most tattooed woman in the world |
Julia Gnuse, commonly known by the nickname The Illustrated Lady, born in 1959, has 95% of her body (including her face) covered in tattoos[1] and holds the Guinness Record for being the most tattooed woman in the world.[2] In her mid 30s, Gnuse developed porphyria, a condition in which sunlight results in blistering of the skin.[3] As the blisters often result in scarring, she began getting tattoos as a way to cover up the scars. However, the tattoos do not prevent the skin from blistering[4] as they are purely aesthetic.
She currently resides in Foothill Ranch, California.[5]