Bearded ladies are rare, and sadly many have been exploited for their appearance. While some were indeed taken advantage of by their parents, many others had to join circuses and other shows in order to survive. There are, however, exceptions where some women with beards had (and some still have) a happy, fulfilling life.
In this gallery, we look at the conditions that may cause beard growth in women, and bring you the stories of some of history's most famous bearded ladies. Click on to find out all about them.