Maurice Tillet, the self-proclaimed "ugliest man in the world", wrote his own story as a wrestler and became a legend, although his life was overshadowed by a rare condition that determined its 'course'. It is said that he was also the inspiration for the popular animated character Shrek.
According to foreign media, Tillet was born in 1903 in Russia to French parents and returned to France with his family during the Russian Revolution. At age 17, his growth was normal, but he was then diagnosed with acromegaly, a disorder that causes excessive production of growth hormone. His body underwent impressive changes: his head reached a length of more than 18 centimeters from ear to ear, while his hands were extremely large.
Despite his natural abilities, his appearance closed the door on some career options. After a six-year stint in the French navy, Tillet sought to study law, but his diversity prevented him from pursuing a career in that field. He then tried his luck in cinema and took part in films such as Princess Tam Tam in 1935, but his success in this field was limited.
His life changed radically when Lithuanian wrestler Karl Pojello saw him in Paris and recognized his talent. Pojello trained and prepared him for professional wrestling. Tillet became known by the nickname "French Angel" and gained world fame, winning the audience with his unique appearance and skills, writes A2 CNN.
In America, he managed to remain undefeated for almost two years, while earning $ 1,000 per match - an incredible amount for that time. With Pojello, they bought a mansion in Chicago, which they divided, renting out the remaining rooms.
His daily life in the ring involved tough fights and impressive victories. The "Bear Hug" was one of his special moves that helped him dominate. Despite the hardships he endured – such as losing six of his front teeth during a race in Birmingham – Tillet did not give up. In fact, he continued to fight for another 46 minutes after the injury and finally won.
Spectators were mesmerized by his presence and there are stories that at one of his fights in London, seven women fainted from his impressive entrance into the ring. After a bout, he could consume a six-pound turkey. However, his health began to deteriorate in his mid-40s due to acromegaly.
In 1954, Pojello's death from lung cancer shocked Tillet. The stress and grief caused him to have a heart attack that same day, and the two friends were buried together at the Lithuanian National Cemetery in Illinois.
Although it has been said that Tillet's death mask on display at the Barbell Museum in Pennsylvania inspired the design of Shrek, there is no confirmed connection. The popular animated film, based on William Steig's book, has been linked to Tillet due to their resemblance, but these claims remain unconfirmed. (A2 Televizion)
