Lizzie Velasquez

Born Elizabeth Ann Velásquez on March 13, 1989, in Austin, Texas, Lizzie Velásquez entered the world four weeks prematurely, weighing less than 2 pounds 11 ounces. She was born with an extremely rare congenital disease, Marfanoid–progeroid–lipodystrophy syndrome, which prevents her body from accumulating fat and gaining weight. This condition meant she has never weighed more than 29 kg (64 lbs) and reportedly maintains almost 0% body fat. To sustain herself, she consumes between 5,000 and 8,000 calories daily across numerous small meals and snacks. Velásquez also lives with impaired vision, being blind in her right eye since age four and having limited sight in her left. Despite these physical challenges, she pursued higher education at Texas State University, majoring in communication studies until late 2012.

Velasquez’s journey into public advocacy began after a traumatic incident in 2006, at the age of 17, when a video titled “World’s Ugliest Woman” featuring her went viral on YouTube. This severe act of cyberbullying became a turning point, propelling her to dedicate her life to anti-bullying activism and motivational speaking. Her resilience and positive outlook gained significant attention, leading to a TEDxAustinWomen Talk in January 2014 titled “How Do YOU Define Yourself?” This talk, which has received millions of views, solidified her role as an influential voice on self-acceptance and combating online harassment. Her YouTube channel has amassed over 54 million views, making her a prominent social media personality.

Throughout her career, Velasquez has authored multiple books, sharing personal stories and offering guidance to her readers. These include a self-published autobiography, “Lizzie Beautiful: The Lizzie Velásquez Story” (2010), co-written with her mother Rita, and children’s books such as “Be Beautiful, Be You” (2012) and “Choosing Happiness” (2014). Her work culminated in the documentary film “A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velásquez Story,” which premiered at SXSW in March 2015 and later aired on Lifetime in October 2016. In April 2017, she began starring in her own Fullscreen original series, “Unzipped,” expanding her reach and message of body positivity and kindness.