LONDON: The British woman who gave birth to the world’s first test tube baby has died aged 64, her family said yesterday.
Lesley Brown made history on July 22, 1978 when her daughter Louise was born following pioneering in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.
She died in hospital in Bristol, southwest England, on June 6 after a short illness, her family said.
She successfully conceived following treatment by scientist Robert Edwards and gynecologist Patrick Steptoe. Brown’s family held a private funeral service for her in Bristol on Wednesday.
“Mum was a very quiet and private person who ended up in the world spotlight because she wanted a family so much,” said Louise Brown. “We are all missing her terribly.”
Bourn Hall, in eastern England’s Cambridge, the world’s first IVF clinic which Edwards and Steptoe set up in 1980, also paid tribute to Brown.
“Lesley was a devoted mum and grandmother and through her bravery and determination many millions of women have been given the chance to become mothers,” said the clinic’s chief executive Mike Macnamee. “She was a lovely gentle lady and we will all remember her with deep affection.”
As well as Louise, Brown leaves behind second daughter Natalie, who was also conceived via IVF treatment, and five grandchildren. Her husband John died five years ago.
Speaking on Louise’s 30th birthday in 2008, Lesley Brown said: “I’m just so grateful that I’m a mum at all, because without IVF I never would have been and I wouldn’t have my grandchildren.”
World’s first test tube baby’s mother dies
World’s first test tube baby’s mother dies
Ithra offers a glimpse of colorful Spain through fashion
DHAHRAN: Step into Spain without leaving Dhahran at the “Threads of Espana: Fashion Across the Spanish Regions” show currently on at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture.
From structured capes to swirling silhouettes, the show at Ithra brings the nation’s colorful fabric traditions to life.
Arab News spoke recently with Cecilia Revuelta, a co-organizer of the exhibition who flew in from Spain.
“We did a selection of traditional costumes of each area in Spain. So first of all, here we have the three costumes of a traditional torero. These suits are from a real torero who’s still active.”
A torero — from toro, meaning bull — is a Spanish bullfighter.
“His name is Jorge Garcia De La Pena, and thanks to our relationship with him, he lent us the three costumes and the two capes,” she added.
“Actually, one of the capes even has the bull blood in them; we decided not to wash it or anything because we think it’s totally more real like this.”
Revuelta described the garments, split among different display areas, as “real art pieces, very heavy and delicate pieces. Also, we brought some flamenca dresses.”
“They’re from a private Spanish collector who dances flamenco and she’s a real fan of the flamenco culture. And she has a big, big, big collection of dresses and we did a small selection to bring it here to Ithra.”
Northern Spain is represented through costumes created stitch-by-stitch specifically for the Ithra exhibition.
“We also fabricated from scratch the costumes of Galicia. They’re the typical traditional costumes that they use in the north of Spain in the countryside, in the small villages. When it’s very cold and rainy and you can see they have a lot of layering and many details.”
“These dresses are very expensive because they are real, real pieces of art. One of these dresses costs more than 4,000 euros ($4,750). Most of them are handmade with a lot of details and stones and different colors and layers. It’s really amazing.”
For Revuelta, the exhibition reflects her love of fashion and its history. “It’s my favorite part (of the Spain Cultural Days festivities) because I love fashion. I love clothes since the beginning.”
Revuelta highlighted the cross-cultural nature of the event.
“I think it’s super positive for all the citizens of Dammam to come here, to get to know more about other countries, different cultures, traditions. They have a lot of workshops. And in the market, we have many different booths selling pieces of art, ceramics and traditional Spanish souvenirs.
“I feel very proud. It is my first time in Saudi Arabia and people here are really interested in knowing more about the different costumes and fashion history of Spain,” she added.
The pieces will remain on display until the completion of the Spain Cultural Days festivities on Jan. 31.
