Who Is Baby Fae? Age, Biography and Wiki
Baby Fae, born on October 14, 1984, was a pioneering American infant who gained global attention for being one of the first recipients of a successful heart transplant from a baboon. Her story highlights the advancements in xenotransplantation, a field that aims to address the shortage of organ donors. Although her time on Earth was tragically short, Baby Fae's legacy continues to influence medical practices and ethical discussions around organ transplantation. Sadly, she passed away just 20 days after her groundbreaking surgery, but her impact on medicine is lasting.
| Occupation | Other |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 14, 1984 |
| Age | 0 Years |
| Birth Place | N/A |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | |
| Date of death | 15 November, 1984 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Baby Fae's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, exact measurements of Baby Fae's height and weight are not applicable posthumously since she was an infant during her life. However, she was born weighing 9 lbs 6 oz and had typical measurements for a newborn.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Given that Baby Fae had a brief life as an infant, her focus was primarily on medical treatment rather than personal relationships. She was born to her mother, who played a crucial role in her life, supporting her through her medical challenges. Much of her family's story has been shared over the years in various medical documentaries and interviews, focusing on their experiences during her treatment and the emotional challenges they faced.
The procedure was subject to a wide ethical and legal debate, but the attention that it generated is thought to have paved the way for Bailey to perform the first successful infant allograft heart transplant a year later. The Baby Fae case, and Bailey's role in it, has been a popular case study in the realm of medical ethics.
There were questions as to whether parents should be allowed to volunteer children for experimental medical procedures, and whether the parents themselves were properly informed by Bailey.
Net Worth and Salary
As Baby Fae passed away just 20 days after her surgery, she did not have a net worth or salary typical of a celebrity or adult. However, her legacy continues to bring awareness to xenotransplantation and inspires many within the medical community. In death, she became an icon whose influence is valued greatly.
Career, Business and Investments
Although Baby Fae did not have a career in the conventional sense, her story has led to significant advancements in medical research and ethical discussions in organ transplants. Her case is often cited in studies exploring ethical dilemmas surrounding xenotransplantation and has contributed to the development of more effective organ transplant protocols.
Social Network
Due to her tragic passing at a young age, Baby Fae did not partake in social media or develop a public presence as many contemporary figures do. However, her story is often shared across various platforms, including medical journals, documentaries, and social media discussions about organ donation and transplantation ethics.
Education
As an infant, Baby Fae did not have an educational background. Nevertheless, her story is often included in educational curricula around medical ethics, highlighting the importance of organ donation and the evolving practices in medicine today.
The procedure, performed by Leonard Lee Bailey at Loma Linda University Medical Center, was successful, but Fae died 21 days later of heart failure due to rejection of the transplant.
The rejection is thought to have been caused largely by a humoral response against the graft, due to Fae's type O blood creating antibodies against the type AB xenograft.
The blood type incompatibility was seen as unavoidable: fewer than 1% of baboons are type O, and Loma Linda only had seven young female baboons—all of which were type AB—available as potential donors.
