Girl trapped in body of pensioner who recently celebrated 18th birthday has died (photos, video)

Girl trapped in body of pensioner who recently celebrated 18th birthday has died (photos, video)

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Author: Adunni Amodeni

- Ontlametse Phalatse, the first black girl diagnosed with progeria who defied expectations to celebrate her 18th birthday recently has died

- She died on Wednesday morning at a Pretoria hospital

- She recently completed her high school education and had hoped to become a motivational speaker

Ontlametse Phalatse, the first black girl diagnosed with progeria who defied expectations to celebrate her 18th birthday recently died at the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa, South Africa on Wednesday, April 12.

Ontlametse was one of two South African young women suffering from progeria, a rare genetic condition that causes the body to age at a rapid rate.


Ontlametse met President Zuma on March 25 to mark her 18th birthday
Doctors diagnosed her with the condition in 2009 and said she would not live beyond the age of 13. However, she exceeded expectations of everyone to see her 18th birthday, which she marked with a meeting with South African President Jacob Zuma on Saturday, March 25.

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Ontlametse was known for her bubbly and infectious personality despite the overwhelming challenges she faced. During her meeting with President Zuma, she joked: “I call myself a first lady because I’m the first black child with this disease. Which other black child do you know with this disease?”

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She also completed her high school education recently and had hoped to become a motivational speaker and life coach.


She and her family established the Ontlametse Trust to sensitize the public about her condition as well as coordinate efforts and funding towards her medical needs.

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