In brief
Annette Dionne, the last surviving sister of the Dionne quintuplets, has died at the age of 91. Known as the first quintuplets to survive past infancy, Annette and her siblings became global celebrities. They faced much scrutiny during their upbringing, and Annette later fought for children's rights, emphasizing the importance of their legacy.
Annette Dionne, the last surviving sister of the Canadian quintuplets, has died at 91, as announced by the Dionne Quints Home Museum.
The five identical sisters, born in Ontario during the Great Depression in 1934, were the first known quintuplets to survive past infancy, quickly rising to global fame as children. They starred in films, graced magazine covers, and became the faces of various consumer products.
Much beloved, Annette had championed children's rights, the museum stated in a tribute following her death.
The library, aimed at preserving the quintuplets' legacy and offering insights into their controversial upbringing, also mentioned Annette's commitment to the Dionne Quints Museum, stressing the importance of its historical context for future generations.
The quintuplets—Annette, Yvonne, Cécile, Émilie, and Marie—were taken from their parents by the Ontario government shortly after birth. This led to a highly publicized childhood spent in a compound known as Quintland, which became a tourist attraction.
Although the girls had limited contact with their parents and siblings, they were observed and examined extensively, sparking debates about their treatment.
As adults, Annette, along with Cécile and Yvonne, sought compensation from the Ontario government for their childhood experiences, resulting in a settlement of nearly C$3 million in 1998.
In addition to her advocacy, Annette was the last surviving sibling out of 14 children in total. Before her passing, Annette and Cécile died this year, while Émilie passed away in 1954, Marie in 1970, and Yvonne in 2001.
