Madge Bester

Madge Bester (born April 26, 1963) is believed to be the world's shortest living woman.[1] From South Africa, she measures 2 ft 1.5 in (65 cm) in height which was measured in 1991. Bester has osteogenesis imperfecta, which is characterized by brittle bones, and uses a wheelchair.[2] She has been a campaigner for disabled rights, holding a 1998 press conference on the issue accompanied by Lin Yih-Chih, the world's smallest man.[3]

Bester lives in a retirement village in Bloemfontein. Her mother Winnie, who died in 2001, also suffered from osteogenesis imperfecta and measured only 70 cm.[2]

References

  1. ^ Murphy, Wendy (2002). Orphan Diseases. Twenty-First Century Books. pp. 78. ISBN 9780761319191.  viewed at Google Books
  2. ^ a b Sampson, Lin (2005). Now You've Gone 'n Killed Me. Oshun. pp. 40–44. ISBN 9781770070493. , viewed at Google Books
  3. ^ "World's shortest man, woman campaign for disabled". CNN News Asia (Cable News Network). 1998-11-03. http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9811/03/fringe/shortest.people/index.html. Retrieved 2008-12-10.