1836 - The Oldest Woman in the World Hoax
Joice Heth was an enslaved woman marketed by P.T. Barnum as George Washington’s 161-year-old nurse. Though likely born in 1756, Barnum exploited her appearance to present her as an ancient curiosity, charging audiences to hear her stories about Washington’s childhood. Slavery was already outlawed in New York, but Barnum exploited a loophole that allowed him to lease Heth for a year for $1,000, borrowing $500 to complete the sale. Her performances reinforced harmful racial stereotypes, and she remained a spectacle even in death, with Barnum hosting a public autopsy. Despite historical inaccuracies, her exhibit gained attention due to Barnum's marketing and America's fascination with Washington. This exploitation exemplifies the commodification of enslaved individuals in the 19th century.