Madge Bester (26 April 1963 – 19 March 2018) was a former world's shortest living woman.[1] From South Africa, in 1991 she measured 65 cm (2 ft 1.5 inches) in height. Bester had osteogenesis imperfecta, which is characterized by brittle bones, and used a wheelchair.[2]

She was a campaigner for disability rights, holding a 1998 press conference on the issue accompanied by Lin Yih-Chih, the world's smallest man.[3]

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

Bester died on 19 March 2018, aged 54.[4][5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Murphy, Wendy (2002). Orphan Diseases. Twenty-First Century Books. p. 78. ISBN 978-0-7613-1919-1.
  2. 1 2 Sampson, Lin (2005). Now You've Gone 'n Killed Me. Oshun. pp. 40–44. ISBN 978-1-77007-049-3.
  3. ↑ "World's shortest man, woman campaign for disabled". CNN News Asia. Cable News Network. 3 November 1998. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
  4. ↑ Rian van Heerden (20 March 2018). Worlds former shortest woman, Madge Bester, passes away (Radio broadcast/podcast). Jacaranda FM. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  5. ↑ Narrain, Alzane (20 March 2018). "Bloemfontein se bekende klein vrou dood". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 21 March 2018.
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