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Annette Dionne, final Dionne quintuplet, passes away at 91
The last of the famous Canadian quintuplets, Annette Dionne, has died at the age of 91, the Dionne Quints Home Museum confirmed on Sunday. Born in 1934 during the Great Depression, the identical sisters became a worldwide phenomenon as the first known quintuplets to survive infancy.
A childhood in the spotlight
The Dionne sisters-Annette, Yvonne, Cécile, Émilie, and Marie-rose to global fame in their early years, appearing in films, gracing magazine covers, and endorsing products ranging from toothpaste to syrup. Their sudden celebrity turned them into symbols of hope amid economic hardship.
A controversial upbringing
Shortly after their birth, the Ontario government removed the quintuplets from their parents' care, citing concerns over their well-being. For years, the girls were housed in a government-run facility called Quintland, where they were put on public display as a tourist attraction. Visitors observed them through one-way glass, and they had little contact with their family.
Their parents eventually regained custody, but the sisters' childhood remained a subject of public debate. In adulthood, Annette, Cécile, and Yvonne took legal action against the Ontario government, securing a nearly C$3 million settlement in 1998 for the exploitation they endured.
A legacy of advocacy
In a statement, the Dionne Quints Home Museum described Annette as a champion of children's rights. She played a key role in preserving the museum, which documents the sisters' complex history and educates visitors about the ethical concerns surrounding their upbringing.
"She believed it was important to maintain the Dionne Quints Museum and the history it provides for the future of all children."
Dionne Quints Home Museum
The end of an era
Annette was the last of the 14 Dionne siblings to pass away. Her sister Cécile died earlier this year, while Émilie died in 1954, Marie in 1970, and Yvonne in 2001. Their story remains a poignant chapter in Canadian history, illustrating both the fascination and the ethical dilemmas of child celebrity.
