Madge Bester

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

• List of the verified shortest people

References

1. Murphy, Wendy (2002). Orphan Diseases. Twenty-First Century Books. p. 78. ISBN 978-0-7613-1919-1.
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.

Records
Preceded by Bridgette Jordan	Shortest Recognized Woman ?–2011	Succeeded by Jyoti Amge