Annette Dionne, last surviving Dionne quintuplet, dies aged 91
The sisters, who were the first known quintuplets to survive past infancy, became a global phenomenon after their 1934 birth.
Annette Dionne, last surviving Dionne quintuplet, dies aged 91
17 hours ago
Grace Eliza Goodwin
Toronto Star via Getty Images
Annette, Yvonne and and Cécile Dionne pictured in 1998
Annette Dionne, the last surviving sister of the Canadian quintuplets, has died at 91, the Dionne Quints Home Museum has announced.
The five identical sisters, born in Ontario at the height of the Great Depression in 1934, were the first known quintuplets to survive past infancy.
They quickly became a global sensation during their childhood - starring in feature films, appearing on the covers of magazines, and endorsing products from toothpaste to syrup.
"Much beloved, Annette had championed children's rights," the museum said in a statement announcing her death.
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The Dionne quintuplets on their fourth birthday in 1938
The museum, which seeks to preserve their legacy and educate the public on the quintuplets' controversial upbringing, added: "She believed it was important to maintain the Dionne Quints Museum and the history it provides for the future of all children."
The quintuplets - Annette, Yvonne, Cécile, Émilie and Marie - were taken away from their parents by the Ontario government when they were infants.
For several years, the authorities displayed the children in a compound dubbed "Quintland", which became a popular tourist attraction.
The children were constantly examined and observed, and had limited contact with their parents and siblings.
Their parents later regained custody of the quintuplets.
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The quintuplets on their second birthday
As adults Annette, Cécile and Yvonne sued the Ontario government for compensation over the circumstances of their childhood, and they received a settlement totalling nearly C$3m (£1.6m; $2.2m) in 1998.
Annette was the last surviving sibling out of the 14 Dionne children, the Dionne Quints Home Museum said.
Prior to Annette and Cécile's deaths this year, Émilie died in 1954, Marie died in 1970 and Yvonne died in 2001.
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The Dionne sisters at their first formal US press conference in 1952