Sick & Significant: Measles

History is full of legendary figures and pivotal moments—but behind many of them lurked an unseen force: disease. The Sick & Significant episodes dive into the infections that shaped history and the illnesses that afflicted the famous. From epidemics that altered the course of nations to the unexpected ailments of icons, each episode dives into the fascinating intersection of sickness and significance.

Measles—often dismissed as a childhood illness—has left a devastating mark on history. In this episode of Sick & Significant, we examine two tragic cases where this virus altered lives and legacies.

First, we look at two young Hawaiian royals who contracted measles while visiting London in the 1820s. Their deaths highlighted the vulnerability of Indigenous populations to foreign diseases and foreshadowed the devastating epidemics that would later sweep through Hawaii. Then, we shift to a deeply personal tragedy—the loss of Roald Dahl’s daughter, Olivia, to measles encephalitis in 1962. This heartbreaking event shaped the beloved author’s life and turned him into a passionate advocate for vaccination. How did a single disease impact both a royal dynasty and a literary legend?

Join me as I uncover the lasting significance of measles in history.