The woman whose face was brutally ripped off by a friend's chimpanzee is Charla Nash. She was attacked in 2009 by a 200-pound pet chimp named Travis, owned by her friend Sandra Herold.
The savage attack left Charla without her face, including her eyes, nose, lips, eyelids, and hands. The incident horrified the nation, and Herold herself called 911 screaming that her friend’s face had been torn off.
Years later, Charla Nash underwent a groundbreaking face transplant in 2011, funded by the US military, which gave her a second chance at life. The surgery was incredibly complex, involving the reconstruction of her nose, lips, eyelids, and cheeks, and she later also sought hand transplants.
Despite the immense challenges of recovery and ongoing therapy, Charla has made inspiring progress. She has regained some sensation and functionality in her face and can eat solid food again. Charla describes the transplant as having "brought my life back" and remains optimistic about her future.
Her story is one of profound survival, medical innovation, and resilience in the face of trauma. The face transplant transformed her appearance and quality of life, and she continues to inspire many as she rebuilds her life after one of the most horrific animal attacks ever recorded.