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The Curious Case of Celebrities and Their Stolen Body Parts

Stevo Perry
5 min readSep 12, 2023

Have you ever misplaced your keys or phone and felt that rush of panic? Now imagine if what you lost was a tad… well, more *integral* to your person. That’s right, we’re delving into the peculiar world where famous folks had their body parts taken posthumously. From Van Gogh’s ear to Einstein’s brain, these tales will have you gasping, laughing, and scratching your head (assuming it’s still attached!).

George Washington’s Teeth
It’s a widely held belief that the first President of the United States sported a set of wooden dentures. The truth, however, is far more intriguing.

Washington suffered dental issues for much of his life and by the time of his presidency, he had only one natural tooth left. His dentures weren’t wood, but rather a mishmash of materials: human teeth (believed to be sourced from slaves), animal teeth, and various metals. The discomfort of these dentures often distorted his lips, possibly contributing to his dour expressions in portraits. Interestingly, letters exist of him writing to his dentist asking for repairs, showcasing that dental woes truly are a universal plight.

After his death his dentures were displayed as a curiosity, and now reside at Mt Vernon.
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Stevo Perry
Stevo Perry

Written by Stevo Perry

Steven writes humorous and helpful articles about pets, online retail and business. He isn’t afraid to share his mistakes and help others avoid the same.

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