Last known polio survivor in iron lung dies at 78 after machine failure

Martha Ann Lillard, the last known person to survive polio using an iron lung, died at the age of 78 after her breathing apparatus failed. Lillard contracted polio at age five, two years before a widespread vaccination campaign began in the United States. For 73 years, she lived inside the metal cylinder that assisted her breathing.

Initially, doctors required Lillard to spend 23 hours a day in the iron lung, with only one hour for rehabilitation of her immobile limbs. Over time, she adapted, learning to breathe independently for extended periods and leading a relatively normal life, only returning to the machine for nine hours of sleep each night. However, her health deteriorated significantly after contracting COVID-19 twice in 2020, leaving her more vulnerable.

Adding to her challenges, Lillard's iron lung began to break down due to its age. Unable to find replacement parts for the obsolete machinery, she continued to rely on her lifelong companion. Her death on June 26, 2026, occurred after the system failed, and repairs were impossible. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to honor her legacy.