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The new Netflix show titled House of Guinness looks into the wild and exciting lives of the iconic Guinness family from Ireland and they show us not just their empire but also highlight their own personal and family battles.
Among the most saddening stories in the Netflix show is that of Anne Guinness, who was the only daughter of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness. In the show, Anne is seen fighting with a strange illness that weakens her body, mind and spirit. She experiences problems while doing simple tasks like walking and often feels like her body is fading away out of her control.
The question many fans might ask is: What disease does Anne actually suffer from? And we're here to answer just that.
Illness as a symbol of vulnerability in Anne’s story in Netflix's House of Guinness
Anne Guinness in House of Guinness is seen not only as a daughter who has been excluded from the family business but also as a woman who is fighting an unknown battle. Played with nuance by Emily Fairn, Anne confesses to her brothers that she feels bizarre changes taking over her body.
Her illness becomes apparent to others too, with others noticing her unbalanced walk and weakness. This physical downfall is one of the most notable aspects of her story, a reminder that her battles extend far beyond family conflicts and problems.
While House of Guinness does not give her illness a definite name, her symptoms tell the story of what we might now associate with degenerative diseases. At one point, the audience even gets to see her suffer from a miscarriage, a deeply emotional scene in the series. While it is not shown as being tied to her condition, it adds to the sense of fragility surrounding her life.
Historically, records confirm that the real Anne Guinness also fought a deteriorating illness throughout her adult years and passed away at only 50. Though the exact illness was never known, modern medicine would perhaps place it along with health conditions like Parkinson's or motor neuron disease.
Anne's health becomes more than a story arc and it starts to act as a metaphor. Her brothers get their shares of the brewery, but Anne inherits her bad health suffering.
The bridge between reality and fiction: Anne’s illness and her legacy
What makes House of Guinness compelling is how it fades the line between history and fiction. Anne Guinness was a real person who married William Plunket, later the Archbishop of Dublin. Regardless of her failing health, she lived a life defined by serving others around her. While her brothers focused on the brewing empire and business, Anne devoted her energy into doing charitable work.
She was influential when it came to establishing St Patrick's Nursing Home in 1876, a place that would train nurses and a place that cared for the sick. For someone who was herself terribly unwell, this dedication to help others feels almost felt poetic.
In Netflix's House of Guinness, Anne's illness places her at a distance from the power games of the family, but it also indicates her strength just as well. Rather than being reduced to her declining health condition, she turns her pain into purpose. This mirrors her accurate historical legacy, where she was remembered as much for her goodwill and social conscience as she was known for her suffering.
There are stained-glass windows in Dublin's St Patrick's Cathedral that still celebrate her kindness, bearing witness that she left behind more than just a story of sickness.
By showing Anne's illness in such a personal way, House of Guinness adds layers of humanity to a show that is otherwise filled with conflicts over inheritance and legacy.
It is Anne's story that demonstrates that while dynasties are built on money, reputation, and power, it is often compassion that leave the longest mark. Anne's illness may not have been given a name, but its impact on her life, her choices, and her memory is undeniable.
Anne's arc in House of Guinness brings together fact and fiction in a deeply moving way. The show depicts her mystery illness as a shadow that looms over her, shaping her relationships and path in life.
While no medical label is ever attached to it, the real Anne's battle with a degenerative disease is remembered as part of her history. Through both her pain and her philanthropy, she stands out as one of the most human and unforgettable figures in the Guinness family's story.
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Also read: House of Guinness: What is the family’s current net worth in real life?
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