Esperance Fuerzina has achieved two Guinness World Records due to her remarkable appearance.
One moment, you’re getting a small, hidden tattoo, and the next, you’re crowned the ‘most tattooed woman in the world.’
What a whirlwind the past ten years have been for Esperance Fuerzina, right?
The army veteran from Connecticut has an astonishing 99.8 percent of her body covered in ink, treating her skin like a living canvas with a recurring theme of “turning darkness into beauty.”
She treats her body like a diary, documenting her life experiences in ink. So, if you spot a Guinness World Records-themed tattoo on her soon, don’t be surprised—she’s just earned two records.
Her decision to document her life on her body through art began during her time in the military. Accustomed to traveling light, she found it easier to ink her memories onto her skin rather than carry around photo frames and trinkets.
Raised in a military family, the world record holder spent much of her youth living in various locations across the Southern US and also spent three years in Japan.
Esperance said, “I’ve had a pretty nomadic life, and with not much room in my [army] pack, I felt I could carry this with me wherever I go. It’s a small moment that I can keep for life.
As a result, Esperance now has tattoos covering her entire body, from her scalp to the soles of her feet, including sensitive areas like her eyelids, eyeballs, gums, tongue, and genitals.
On top of all this ink, the 36-year-old has also undergone 89 body modifications, earning her a second world record.
Esperance now holds the records for the most tattoos and the most body modifications in history.
In 2014, she split her tongue in two, marking the beginning of extensive alterations to her appearance.
Today, the US woman has 15 subdermal implants along with several facial modifications, including septum and lip piercings.
Esperance has also undergone some unusual modifications, such as removing both of her nipples, injecting ink into her split tongue, and doing the same to her inner labia. Ouch.
“I think it’s clear that I’m not trying to adhere to traditional beauty standards,” she said of her unique appearance. “That can be both liberating and something many people don’t understand, often reacting negatively.”
So, when you see an image of her beneath all the intricate designs, facial implants, and piercings, you’re likely to be quite shocked.
The smiling 17-year-old with long, dark hair looks almost unrecognizable as Esperance now—but yes, that’s definitely her.
Reflecting on how her tattoo obsession began, the army vet explained that she got her first tattoo at 21—a small symbol in tribute to her then-partner’s family.
The former medical service officer later covered her first tattoo with a striking Phoenix design, which led her to discover her preference for bold, cohesive inkings. This shift ultimately defined her current tattoo style.
“It’s still difficult to envision a definitive end,” Esperance continued. “For years, I’ve been striving for greater cohesiveness in my suit, and that goal remains important to me. To me, bigger and more cohesive always feels better.”
The tattooed former military woman shares that she has learned to cope with the pain of tattoos and body modifications through meditation.
It’s a good thing Esperance has found a way to manage the pain, as she’s planning to get even more tattoos and modifications.
She added, “Being the most tattooed woman and holding the record for the most body modifications feels a bit surreal. I’m grateful and excited for what’s next – and of course, I’m not done yet!”
I’m sure the tattoo artist she chooses will have a blast filling in that last 0.2 percent of space on her body!
