The Fugate family of Troublesome Creek, Kentucky, became known for their distinctive blue skin, a result of a rare genetic condition called methemoglobinemia. This condition, which causes an abnormally high level of methemoglobin in the blood, leads to dark, blue-tinted blood that shows through the skin. The family's generations-long history of severe inbreeding amplified the condition, as the isolated community had limited genetic diversity.
Origin of the Fugate Family
The family line began with Martin Fugate, who emigrated from France to the United States around 1820 and settled in Troublesome Creek, Kentucky. Martin is believed to have been born with blue skin, and his parents reportedly left him in an orphanage due to his appearance. At the time, physicians could not diagnose his condition, but in the 1960s, a blood specialist identified it as methemoglobinemia.
Martin married Elizabeth Smith, who coincidentally carried the recessive gene for the same rare condition. Together, they had seven children, four of whom were born with blue skin, according to History Extra. The family's seclusion—there were no roads connecting the village to the outside world, and only four other families lived there—led to generations of inbreeding, which perpetuated the condition.
Generations of Inbreeding
Among Martin and Elizabeth's children, Zacharia married his own aunt, and another son married a close cousin. One descendant, Luna Fugate, was described as being "blue all over" with lips "as dark as a bruise." Luna married John Stacy in the late 19th century, and the couple had 13 children. Despite their blue complexion, the children were otherwise healthy, though methemoglobinemia can cause developmental disorders and seizures.
The condition prevents blood from carrying sufficient oxygen, which can lead to serious health issues. However, the family members generally lived without major complications aside from their skin color.
Medical Discovery in the 1960s
In the 1960s, haematologist Madison Cawein from the University of Kentucky solved the mystery of the Fugates' blue skin. He encountered two blue-skinned patients at a local clinic and, after ruling out heart and lung disease, diagnosed them with methemoglobinemia. Dr. Cawein attempted to treat some family members with methylene blue dye, which temporarily eliminated their blue appearance for several days, but the color eventually returned. He then recommended daily tablets to manage the condition.
Public Attention in 1975
The condition gained widespread attention in 1975 when Benjamin Stacy was born with skin "as blue as Lake Louise," as reported by ABC News. He was rushed to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for a blood transfusion shortly after birth, until his grandmother suggested he resembled the Fugates of Troublesome Creek. It was later discovered that his great-grandmother was Luna Fugate, described as the "bluest" woman ever seen.
Modern-Day Family Members
A living member of the Fugate family, Hazel Fugate, told the Daily Mail that the condition still exists in the family. Her husband, 69-year-old Gary, a descendant of Martin, has methemoglobinemia. Hazel noted that in dim lighting, "the colour of his skin is a blue purple" and has become more apparent as he ages. The couple's son was born with the condition but reportedly outgrew it by age five, and their daughter also showed signs for only a few months.
