Lazarus, Laloo, and Lillie - Historical Parasitic Twins
Today's post is another compilation, this time focusing on the phenomenon of parasitic twins (more on that below). Because this is so rare, there is not much research even today focusing on it. In history, there are a few cases that are well-known: Lazarus Colloredo, Laloo Ramparsad, and Lillie "Betty Lou" Williams. These people not only survived childhood but all went on to be famous as performers. They all appear to have died relatively young, in their 20s or 30s. Similar to other sideshow performers I've written about, these three people survived and made money in the only way that was deemed "acceptable" (and I use that very loosely) for them. Their stories span centuries and continents, connected by a rare physical difference and the determination to survive in a world that was disgusted by them.
A parasitic twin (also called "asymmetrical conjoined twin" or "vestigial twin") is a very rare type of conjoined twin, accounting for 10% of all conjoined twins. One fetus does not develop completely - essentially dying in the womb - and remains attached to the other fetus. The baby ("dominant twin") is born with limbs, organs, and other structures from the twin still attached. Because this happens so early in embryonic development, the structures can be unrecognizable as to what they are. The dominant twin is at high risk for medical complications and, in modern times, the parasitic twin is surgically removed.
Lazarus Colloredo
Lazarus Colloredo was born in Genoa, Italy in 1617. He was born with a parasitic twin that was named Joannes Baptista (John the Baptist). Joannes's upper body and left leg protruded from Lazarus's chest (a thoracopaus parasitic twin). By reports, Joannes was unable to speak and kept his eyes closed and mouth open all the time. An anatomist, Thomas Bartholinus, observed that, if someone pushed on Joannes's chest, he would move his hands, ears, and lips. He also responded to pain, such as being pinched or pricked. Joannes was described as having a "foul smell, overgrown head (twice the size of Lazarus), toothy mouth and unkempt beard." He had rapid eye fluttering movements and he salivated almost constantly.
Young Lazarus
I could not find more information about Lazarus's childhood, only that at some point he was exhibited. This was almost the only way for him to make a living. He toured Europe, visiting places such as Switzerland, Denmark, Scotland, England, Danzig, the Ottoman Empire, Germany, and Italy. He even visited the court of King Charles I.
Lazarus was described as "courteous and handsome," save for the "brother that dangled before him." Later accounts claimed that Lazarus did have many children, all typical physically. When not on exhibit, he covered Joannes with a cloak to avoid attention.
Lazarus as an adult
There was one very unique anecdote I found. French historian Henri Sauval wrote that Lazarus was so outraged at an audience member ridiculing him that he "gave him a fatal blow." He was sentenced to death for killing the man but avoided execution, as this would also kill his innocent brother, Joannes.
Lazarus and Joannes were last mentioned in 1646, at the age of 29, but the actual date of death is unknown.
Laloo Ramparsad
Laloo (sometimes spelled Lalloo or Lalou), was born in the Oudh State, North India in 1874. He was the second of four children. His parasitic twin was attached at his breastbone, another case of a thoracopaus twin: two arms, two legs, and a functioning penis with a urinary system. Laloo was able to feel when his twin was touched. The twin needed to urinate sometimes as well and Laloo could not detect that until after. He would eventually diaper his brother. Laloo's twin could also maintain an erection, which sometimes happened with unfortunate timing.
Laloo as a child
Laloo as a teenager
At some point, Laloo began traveling around the world performing in sideshows. He even worked with P.T. Barnum. He was advertised as the "Handsome, Healthy, Happy Hindoo." His showmanship continued to grow: he would often dress his twin as a girl and advertise that it was his sister (though the erections gave away the truth).
Laloo as a young man
He also was an activist for sideshow performers. In 1889, at the age of fifteen, Laloo participated in a protest to have performers referred to as "prodigies" instead of "freaks." This was successful and the term "freak" did fall out of use for many years.
By 1894, when Laloo was twenty, he was married and financially successful. He continued to perform and earned extra income by letting physicians do examinations on him. He was said to have lived a "lavish" lifestyle.
Laloo as an adult
Unfortunately, Laloo, while working for the Norris and Rowe Circus in Mexico, died in a train wreck in 1905. Other reports claimed that he died of an illness. He was only 31 years old. Laloo was buried in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
Lillie "Betty Lou" Williams
Lillie B. Williams was born in Albany, Georgia on January 10, 1932. She was the youngest of twelve children born to poor Black sharecroppers. She had a tiny parasitic twin attached to her abdomen (an omphalopagus twin): the sibling had two legs, a fully developed arm with three fingers, and another tiny arm-like limb. Even with this rare condition, doctors were sure that Lillie would live a long, healthy life.
At the age of one, Lillie was discovered by Dick Best, a professional showman. He had heard about her while visiting Georgia and was determined to find her. He was even thrown in jail once for his "outrageous" claims before finding the baby.
Lillie as a toddler
He changed her name to Betty Lou, possibly to give the impression that the twin was male, and began displaying her in his New York museum. It was here that Ripley's Believe It or Not? found her. They and Best negotiated for her. Lillie, aged two, would be shown for $250 ($5700 in 2023) a week at the Ripley's Believe It or Not? Odditorium at the Chicago World's Fair in 1934. As she grew and matured, Lillie earned up to $1000 a week. She was described as having great "beauty and kindness." When not onstage, Lillie sometimes dressed her twin in custom-made clothes. Other times she wore maternity clothes to cover up the twin.
Lillie as a young adult
Lillie as an adult
Lillie was able to use her wealth to support her family. She bought a 260-acre ranch (for $40,000) for her parents as well as put all of her eleven siblings through college. Her wealth and beauty attracted many male suitors. In her early 20s, she became engaged to one of them. Unfortunately, her fiancé was using her: he stole a large amount of her money and disappeared. Soon after this, Lillie died from an asthma attack in Trenton, New Jersey. She was only 23 years old. Some speculated that she died from a broken heart.
As always, my goal when writing about sideshow performers is to bring their human stories to the forefront. Even now, you can find YouTube videos and listicles that are made to shock and appall you with these people. Though the three I wrote about today look very different than typical, they were still humans with feelings, struggles, and triumphs.
Most sincerely,
ChristinaFurther Reading
American Sideshow: An Encyclopedia of History's Most Wondrous and Curiously Strange Performers by Marc Hartzman
Sideshow U.S.A.: Freaks and the Cultural Imagination by Rachel Adams
Drew Friedman's Sideshow Freaks by Drew Friedman
Works Consulted
BETTY LOU WILLIAMS - Ripley’s Four-Legged Wonder. (2023). The Human Marvels. Retrieved June 4, 2023, from https://www.thehumanmarvels.com/betty-lou-williams-ripleys-four-legged-wonder/
G. Mundie, J. (2018). Olympia (Betty Lou Williams). Prodigies: Anomalous Humans. Retrieved June 4, 2023, from http://www.missioncreep.com/mundie/images/image16.htm
Hampton, J. (n.d.). Lillie B. Williams - Performer, Twin, Legend. Uncle Junior Project. Retrieved June 4, 2023, from https://www.unclejrproject.com/lilliebwilliams
Hartzman, M. (2017, June 26). The Wonderful and Eccentric Lazarus Colloredo and his Parasitic Twin. Weird Historian. Retrieved June 4, 2023, from https://www.weirdhistorian.com/parasitic-twins/
Kentake, M. (2016, January 10). Betty Lou William: Four-Legged Beauty. Kentake Page. Retrieved June 4, 2023, from https://kentakepage.com/betty-lou-william-four-legged-beauty/
LAZARUS-JOANNES - Early Parasitic Twins. (2023). The Human Marvels. Retrieved June 4, 2023, from https://www.thehumanmarvels.com/lazarus-joannes-early-parasitic-twins/
Taylor, M. E. (2018, August 2). This woman born with four legs became a world sensation and got men drooling over her in the 1930s. Face2Face Africa. Retrieved June 4, 2023, from https://face2faceafrica.com/article/this-woman-born-with-four-legs-became-a-world-sensation-and-got-men-drooling-over-her-in-the-1930s
Travsd. (2013, February 14). Laloo, “the Happy Hindoo.” Travalanche. Retrieved June 4, 2023, from https://travsd.wordpress.com/2013/02/14/laloo-the-happy-hindoo/
Last Updated: 10 Oct. 2023
