Julia Gnuse

The Illustrated Lady
Born Julia Ann Gnuse
(1955-01-18)January 18, 1955
Flint, Michigan
Died August 11, 2016(2016-08-11) (aged 61)
Residence Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, California
Nationality US
Known for most tattooed woman in the world
Home town Lewistown, Missouri

Julia Gnuse (guh-NOO-see), commonly known by the nickname The Illustrated Lady, born in 1955, had 95% of her body (including her face) covered in tattoos[1] and held 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, which can get as deep as third degree burns.[4][5] A friend of Gnuse's who was a plastic surgeon had suggested she get her skin tattooed in a pale skin tone color, similar to the color of her scars. This was attempted but didn't turn out the way they had hoped.[5]

The tattoos do not prevent the skin from blistering[6] as they are purely aesthetic. Instead she decided to try colorful tattoos, consisting of a variety of themes including: her favorite cartoons, her favorite actors and even a self portrait.[7] Gnuse has appeared on the tv show Ripley's Believe it or Not.[8] She also had a small role in Aerosmith's music video for their song Pink.[9]

In her last year she started to go through laser treatment to get all of her tattoos removed.[10]

She lived in Foothill Ranch, California and died on August 11, 2016.[11]

See also

References

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