Last US Polio Patient Dependent on Iron Lung Dies Months After Marriage

By איתן גפן

First reported by Kikar HaShabbat · Jul 12, 2026

What happened

Martha Lillard, the last known US polio patient dependent on an iron lung, died at 78 in Oklahoma months after marrying her longtime Egyptian partner. She lived with polio effects for over 70 years and required near-constant iron lung support in recent years. Her death marks the end of an era for polio survivors reliant on this life-saving device.

• 01Martha Lillard was the last known US polio patient using an iron lung and died at 78 in Oklahoma.
• 02She married her Egyptian partner after a 20-year online relationship in early 2023.
• 03Lillard contracted polio at age five and lived with its effects for over seven decades.
• 04Her death certificate cited chronic respiratory failure and post-polio syndrome, with COVID-19 contributing.
• 05She lived independently despite paralysis and used the internet to maintain social ties and activism.
• 06Polio was eradicated in the US by 1979 due to vaccination campaigns reducing cases drastically.

Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.

Full coverage · 2 outlets

The same event, reported separately by each newsroom. Open a few to compare what each emphasizes — and what they leave out.

YnetCenter · HebrewJul 13, 2026

Last US Polio Patient Dependent on Iron Lung Dies Months After Marriage

Kikar HaShabbatRight · HebrewJul 12, 2026

Last American Iron Lung Survivor Martha Lillard Dies at 78 After 70 Years

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