Published：Jul 9, 15:54Last updated：Jul 12, 18:37

Martha Lillard, Last Iron Lung User, Dies at 78

Jul. 9, 2026 15:54

Martha Lillard, an American woman with polio who used an "iron lung" for 73 years, has died at the age of 78. She contracted polio in 1953, two years before the widespread use of the polio vaccine in the US. Initially, she spent 23 hours a day in the device but later used it only during sleep. She was the last patient in the US to use such a device.

Summarized

8News

7Media

Jul. 12, 2026 14:02

Martha Lillard, who relied on an iron lung after contracting polio as a child, has passed away. Her death likely marks the end of the use of this historic technology.

Jul. 12, 2026 18:37

Martha Lillard, the last known US polio survivor reliant on an iron lung, passed away at age 78. She contracted polio at five and spent most of her life using the machine to breathe. Lillard died on June 26, 2026, in Oklahoma. Her obituary highlighted her resilience and long battle with the disease. Her death marks the end of an era for polio survivors in the US.

Martha Lillard, the last known U.S. polio patient who relied on an iron lung, has passed away at the age of 78 in Oklahoma. Diagnosed with polio at the age of five, she depended on the machine for survival, initially spending 23 hours a day in it before reducing usage to sleep only. Her death marks the end of an era for polio survivors in the United States.

🏥 Medical Legacy

Martha Lillard contracted polio in 1953, two years before the widespread use of the polio vaccine in the U.S. She became the last patient in the country to use an iron lung, a device that has since become a medical relic. Her reliance on the machine for breathing symbolized both the advancements in medical technology and the enduring impact of polio. RIA Novosti+2

🌟 Resilience and Life

Despite doctors’ predictions, Lillard lived a full life, attending school via a phone system and traveling with her family. Her sister attributed her death to long-haul COVID-19, highlighting her prolonged battle with health challenges. Lillard’s resilience made her a symbol of perseverance in the face of adversity. The Independent+2

🕰️ End of an Era

Lillard’s passing on June 26, 2026, likely marks the end of the use of iron lungs in the U.S. Her obituary emphasized her long battle with polio and her role as the last known survivor dependent on the device. Her death signifies a significant milestone in medical history, closing a chapter on polio treatment. Der Spiegel+2

PolioCOVID-19OklahomaIron LungMartha Lillard