Karolina Olsson

Karolina Olsson

Karolina Olsson (29 October 1861 – 5 April 1950), also known as the "Sleeping Beauty of Oknö", was a Swedish woman who allegedly fell into a state of hibernation in 1876, at the age of 14, and did not wake up until 1908, 32 years later. Her case has been subject to much speculation and has become a part of Swedish folklore, intertwining facts with myths over the years.

Early Life

Karolina was born on the small island of Oknö, near the town of Mönsterås, in Småland, Sweden. She was the daughter of a local fisherman and lived a relatively normal life until the onset of her long sleep.

The Long Sleep

In February 1876, after reportedly suffering from a toothache and receiving a blow to the head from a falling ice skate, Karolina Olsson went to bed and did not wake up in the conventional sense for the next 32 years. During this period, she was reportedly in a state of hibernation or torpor, a condition that is medically recognized but not fully understood. Her family claimed that she did not eat solid food, subsisting only on milk, which she could purportedly swallow in her sleep.

Medical Examination and Public Interest

Karolina's condition attracted the attention of several doctors and scientists throughout the years, many of whom visited her to study her condition but left with more questions than answers. Public interest in her story grew, and she became something of a local legend. Despite various examinations, no conclusive explanation for her condition was ever provided.

Awakening and Later Life

Karolina is said to have awakened from her long sleep in 1908, at the age of 52. Reports indicate that she was confused and distressed upon waking, having missed out on over three decades of her life, including significant family and societal changes. After her awakening, she lived a quiet life, never marrying or leaving her home island. She passed away in 1950, at the age of 88.

Legacy

The story of Karolina Olsson remains a fascinating and mysterious chapter in Swedish folklore. Her life has been the subject of various articles, books, and documentaries, each attempting to unravel the truth behind her long sleep. Despite the passage of time, her case continues to intrigue both the medical community and the public, serving as a reminder of the complexities of the human body and the mysteries that still elude modern science.

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