Jacqueline Saburido facts for kids

Jacqueline Saburido (20 December 1978 – 20 April 2019) was a Venezuelan activist. She became well-known for sharing her story after a serious car crash. This crash caused her severe burn injuries. Jacqueline then worked to educate people about the dangers of unsafe driving.

Jacqueline's Story and Advocacy

In 1999, Jacqueline was involved in a terrible car crash. This accident caused burns on 60% of her body. Despite her injuries, Jacqueline chose to share her experience. She allowed photos of her injuries to be used in public campaigns. These campaigns showed the serious results of unsafe driving.

Jacqueline became known for a special commercial. In it, she held a photo of herself from before the crash. Then, she slowly lowered the photo to show her face after the accident. When asked why she did this, Jacqueline said she wanted people to understand. She hoped they would see how much her life had changed. She felt it was a chance for everyone to learn.

The images and videos used in these campaigns were carefully made. They used soft lighting to help her appearance. Child psychologists were also consulted. This was to make sure the materials were educational but not too scary for young people.

Life After the Accident

Jacqueline Saburido showed amazing strength and spirit. She often spoke about never giving up. She believed that if someone faces a challenge, they must get back up and keep going. She felt this was very important for life to have meaning.

Jacqueline appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show multiple times. She also shared her story on the Australian 60 Minutes. A documentary about face transplants on the Discovery Health also featured her. Oprah Winfrey praised Jacqueline. She called her someone who truly showed "inner beauty" and was a symbol of survival.

By 2011, Jacqueline had undergone more than 120 surgeries. These operations helped her recover and live her life.

Later Life and Passing

Jacqueline Saburido passed away on 20 April 2019. She died from cancer in Guatemala City. Her family shared that she had moved to Guatemala a few years earlier. She was looking for better medical care for her illness there. Jacqueline was later buried in Caracas, Venezuela.

Her story had a huge impact around the world. It is estimated that at least one billion people heard her message. Jacqueline's bravery helped many understand the importance of safe driving.