Lizzie Velasquez was once called the “ugliest woman in the world” due to her physique. She was born with the marfanoid progeroid-lipodystrophy syndrome, a rare congenital disease that prevents her from gaining weight since it is almost impossible to accumulate body fat. Few know the story of Lizzie Velasquez, her family, her life, and her career.
Society these days is literally obsessed with beauty and worse still, there is a standard to be met before anybody can be expected of the gorgeous clique.
Beauty in society is based solely on physical appearance and nothing else, that is why countries of the world hold contests like “miss world”, and the like of that.
When it comes to Lizzie Velasquez who many people have dubbed the “ugliest woman in the world” the saying “Do not judge a book by its cover comes into play.
Lizzie Velasquez has helped many people overcome their worries due to their physical appearance and that is the beauty that is needed. It is inner beauty and it is more important than the standard physical appearance the world holds dear Lizzie Velasquez is rich when it comes to having inner beauty.
People are quick to judge Lizzie Velasquez based solely on how she looks. In this post, you will learn everything you need to know about her including her family and her biography, her early life and struggles, her career, etc.
Lizzie Velasquez’s Biography and Family
Elizabeth Anne Velasquez, better known as Lizzie Velasquez, was born on March 13, 1989, in Austin, Texas. She is the eldest child of Rita Borja and Guadalupe Fonsi Velasquez and has two younger siblings, Marina and Chris.
Lizzie was diagnosed with a rare congenital disease called Marfanoid-progeroid-lipodystrophy syndrome shortly after birth. This condition affects her vision, immune system, and bone structure, and prevents her from gaining weight. Despite these challenges, Lizzie’s parents raised her to be a strong and independent person who never let her condition limit her aspirations.
Growing up, Lizzie faced bullying and discrimination from her peers due to her appearance and condition. However, she never let this break her spirit and instead used her experiences as motivation to help others going through similar situations. Lizzie is now a renowned public speaker, author, and anti-bullying advocate.
After graduating from Texas State University with a degree in communication studies, Lizzie began speaking publicly about her experiences and advocating for anti-bullying initiatives. She has given numerous talks at schools, conferences, and events worldwide and has appeared in several documentaries and media programs.
Lizzie is also a successful author, having written several books, including Lizzie Beautiful: The Lizzie Velasquez Story and Choosing Happiness: Keys to a Joyful Life. Her books focus on themes such as self-acceptance, inner beauty, and resilience in the face of adversity.
Throughout her journey, Lizzie has been supported by her loving family. Her mother, Rita, is a registered nurse who has played an instrumental role in managing Lizzie’s medical care. Lizzie’s father, Lupe, is a computer programmer who has always encouraged her to pursue her dreams and never give up.
Lizzie’s younger siblings, Marina and Chris, are also supportive of her work and often attend her speaking engagements. The Lizzie project inspired by her story was made possible by a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised about $180,000 in about a month.
Lizzie Velasquez’s early life and Struggle
Lizzie Velasquez, a native of Austin, Texas, was born on March 13, 1989, with a rare congenital disease known as Marfanoid-progeroid-lipodystrophy syndrome. This condition affects her ability to gain weight and causes other health problems, including vision issues and immune system difficulties.
She lost sight in her right eye when she was four years old for unknown reasons. She currently has one brown and blue eye. Growing up, Lizzie faced numerous challenges due to her condition, but she refused to let it define her.
In kindergarten, Lizzie was first made aware of her differences from other children when she was called “monster” and “it” by her classmates, who were frightened and confused by her appearance. Despite her parents’ efforts to shield her from the bullying, Lizzie was acutely aware of it. However, she was determined not to let it get the best of her.
She has progeria-like facial characteristics like a small mouth, a pointed nose, and aged skin.
Doctors had initial doubts that Lizzie would live a happy life, including not knowing if she would be able to work or communicate
Lizzie’s love for music and singing began at a young age, and she began taking lessons in guitar and singing. Her passion for music gave her an outlet to express herself creatively and helped her cope with the difficulties she faced.
Additionally, Lizzie was an avid reader and writer, spending hours reading books and writing stories, which helped her develop her communication and writing skills.
As Lizzie grew older, she became more determined to use her experiences to help others. She began speaking publicly about her experiences with bullying and body image issues, sharing her story with others who were going through similar situations. Lizzie’s speeches and advocacy work have inspired countless people around the world and have helped raise awareness about bullying and the importance of self-acceptance.
Despite the challenges she has faced, Lizzie has remained resilient and determined to make a positive impact on the world. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that we should never let our circumstances define us and that we all have the power to make a difference in the lives of others.
Lizzie Velasquez’s Career Path
Lizzie Velasquez has dedicated her career to advocacy work, public speaking, writing, and motivational coaching. Her unique experiences and powerful messages have made her a highly sought-after speaker and author, and she has been recognized for her work on behalf of anti-bullying initiatives and body positivity.
At the age of 17, a nearby television station invited Lizzie Velasquez for an interview due to the intrigue she caused because of her appearance. However, she did not let this define her. After completing her degree in communication studies from Texas State University, Lizzie began speaking publicly about her experiences with bullying and discrimination.
Her first TEDx talk, “How Do You Define Yourself?”, went viral and has since been viewed millions of times on YouTube. In her talk, Lizzie shares her story of growing up with a rare medical condition and how she overcame the negativity and criticism she faced to become a confident and successful person.
Since then, Lizzie has continued to speak at conferences, schools, and other events around the world. Her speeches cover topics such as self-acceptance, body positivity, mental health, and resilience. Her inspiring and uplifting messages have earned her praise for her ability to connect with her audience on a personal level.
In addition to her public speaking, Lizzie is also a successful author. She has written several books, including “Lizzie Beautiful: The Lizzie Velasquez Story”, “Be Beautiful, Be You”, and “Choosing Happiness: Keys to a Joyful Life”. Her books focus on themes such as self-acceptance, inner beauty, and resilience in the face of adversity.
Lizzie is also a certified life coach and provides motivational coaching services to individuals and organizations. She works with clients to help them identify their goals, develop a plan of action, and build the confidence and resilience necessary to achieve success. Lizzie Velasquez is a true inspiration, and her work has touched the lives of many.
Throughout her illustrious career, Lizzie has garnered a plethora of prestigious awards and accolades for her exceptional work. Notably, she was bestowed with the coveted title of Austin’s Under 40 by the esteemed Austin Business Journal in 2012. Furthermore, her remarkable contributions to the global community were recognized when she was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2015.
Lizzie’s remarkable achievements have also been widely acknowledged by various media outlets. She has been featured in numerous documentaries, news programs, and other prominent media platforms, including The View, Good Morning America, and The Today Show.
Her unwavering commitment to excellence and dedication to her craft has undoubtedly earned her a well-deserved place among the most accomplished professionals in her field.
Conclusion
Lizzie Velasquez’s life is a powerful example of resilience, determination, and compassion. Despite facing bullying, discrimination, and numerous health challenges due to her rare medical condition,
Lizzie has used her experiences to inspire others and promote important messages of self-acceptance and body positivity. Through her advocacy work, public speaking, writing, and motivational coaching, Lizzie has touched the lives of countless people around the world and continues to be a powerful force for positive change.
Her story serves as a reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the power of kindness and empathy in creating a more inclusive and compassionate world.