Lizzie Velasquez

About

American nonfiction writer whose works include a 2010 autobiography and a 2012 motivational work entitled Be Beautiful, Be You. She became famous for being one of only a handful of people in the world to suffer from Marfanoid-progeroid-lipodystrophy syndrome, which results in an inability to accumulate body fat.

Before Fame

As a result of Marfanoid-progeroid-lipodystrophy syndrome, she was bullied while growing up.

Trivia

Also a motivational speaker, she became known for her anti-bullying activism.

Family Life

She and her two younger siblings were born in Austin, Texas to Guadalupe and Rita Velasquez.

Associated With

Her mysterious disease shared several key characteristics with progeria, a condition resulting in premature aging and death that affected television documentary subject Sam Berns.