Lucia Zarate was born in Mexico in 1864 weighing only eight ounces and was only seven inches in height. By adulthood she stood only 26 1/2 inches high and weighed only 13 pounds-- she was lighter than most house cats; hence, she is also recognized by Guinness as the lightest person who ever lived.
Zarate's life ended tragically in 1890 when the train she was on became stranded in the Rocky Mountains during a heavy snowstorm. The 26-year-old was exposed to cold temperatures and died of hypothermia.