Pop culture memory can be very fickle; sometimes, those who absolutely dominate the headlines of yesteryear fall of the radar for most people when the next big star comes along. One of the best examples of this is Lizzie Velásquez, who rose to problematic fame after being labeled the “World’s Ugliest Woman” on YouTube nearly two decades ago.
Fortunately, she didn’t let online bullies define her and went on to create a successful life for herself despite her medical condition. However, she had a recent health scare that some of her biggest fans don’t know about. What happened to this unconventionally inspirational motivational speaker, and what is she up to now? Keep reading to find out!
Who is Lizzie Velásquez?

To understand who Lizzie Velásquez is, you must first know about her medical condition. She was born with Marfanoid-progeroid-lipodystrophy syndrome, which means that she never builds up body fat or gains weight. This means that she looks very thin, never weighing more than 64 pounds and having to constantly eat (up to 8,000 calories per day!) just to avoid getting any thinner.
Fortunately, her condition isn’t terminal, and Velásquez has been able to lead a relatively normal life, complete with a very successful career (more on this very soon). Sadly, her condition gives her the visual appearance of someone with progeria. And because kids are cruel, this means she had to endure a childhood of bullying that very nearly destroyed her life.
What Happened to Lizzie Velásquez, the Most Unconventional TikTok Motivational Speaker?