Woman Who’s 99% Covered In Tattoos Share What She Looks Like Before

One moment, you’re getting a small, meaningful tattoo in a discreet spot, and the next, you find yourself crowned as the ‘most tattooed woman in the world.’ This is the incredible journey of Esperance Fuerzina, a 36-year-old army veteran from Connecticut, who has transformed her body into a living canvas, with 99.8 percent of her skin covered in ink.

From a Small Tattoo to World Record Holder: The Story of Esperance Fuerzina
Esperance’s path from having a single tattoo to holding a world record has been nothing short of remarkable. “It’s been an incredible journey,” she reflects. “One that has allowed me to express my life experiences and emotions in a way that words never could.” Her tattoos, centered around the theme of ‘turning darkness into beauty,’ reflect her resilience and creativity.

A Living Diary: Esperance’s Journey Through Tattoos
For Esperance, her body is more than a canvas; it’s a diary of her life. “I have had a pretty nomadic life, and not much room in my [army] pack,” she shares. “I felt I could take this with me wherever I go. It’s just a small moment for something I can keep for life.”

Military Life and the Birth of a Tattoo Passion
Growing up in a military family, Esperance’s life was marked by constant movement. She lived across the Southern U.S. and spent three years in Japan. “Instead of carrying around photo frames or mementos, it made sense to me to immortalize my memories on my skin,” she explains.

Covering Every Inch
Her tattoos cover every inch of her body, including her scalp, eyelids, eyeballs, gums, tongue, and genitals. “I think it’s obvious I’m not trying to adhere to traditional beauty standards,” she says. “That can be both liberating and also something many people don’t understand and can be negative about.”

Pushing Boundaries
In addition to her tattoos, Esperance holds a second-world record for 89 body modifications, including 15 subdermal implants, septum and lip piercings, and more extreme changes like tongue splitting and nipple removal. “For me, it’s about pushing the boundaries of self-expression,” she remarks.

A Never-Ending Journey: Esperance’s Tattoo Evolution
Despite her extensive body art, Esperance isn’t finished yet. Her first tattoo, a small symbol in tribute to her then-partner’s family, has been covered by a bold Phoenix design—a move that began her journey toward larger, cohesive tattoos. “For many years, now, I’ve been moving towards more cohesiveness in my suit and that is still an aim of mine. For me, bigger and more cohesive is better,” she says.

Managing Pain and Looking Ahead: Esperance’s Future Plans
Managing the pain from her tattoos and modifications through meditation, Esperance laughs, “It’s a pretty good job I’ve found a way to cope with it because I’m planning on getting even more.”

As she looks to the future, Esperance is excited about what lies ahead. “To be the most tattooed woman and to have the most body modifications feels a little crazy,” she admits. “I am grateful and excited for the future—and of course, I am not done!”

With only 0.2 percent of her body left to ink, Esperance’s tattoo artist might have a field day with the remaining space. As she continues to transform her body into a living masterpiece, the world eagerly watches to see what this extraordinary woman will do next.