What illness did Frida Kahlo contract at age six?

Frida Kahlo contracted polio at the age of six.

The illness damaged her right leg and left her with a lifelong limp. She later used clothing, footwear, and posture to manage or conceal the visible effects of the disease. Her distinctive long skirts became part of her public appearance, although they also reflected Mexican clothing traditions and her interest in presenting an explicitly Mexican identity.

Polio was not the only major physical trauma in Kahlo’s life. In 1925, a bus accident caused severe injuries to her spine, pelvis, and leg and led to prolonged periods of immobilization. Those injuries, as well as later operations and chronic pain, became recurring subjects in her paintings.

Some accounts incorrectly attribute all of Kahlo’s physical difficulties to the bus accident. Polio occurred decades earlier, and the two events had different consequences. Keeping them separate is important when describing her medical history.