Last of Canada’s Dionne quintuplets dies aged 91

Annette Dionne, the last surviving sister of the Canadian quintuplets, has died at age 91, the Dionne Quints Home Museum announced.

The five identical sisters, born in Ontario at the height of the Great Depression in 1934, were the first known quintuplets to survive beyond childhood.

They quickly became a global sensation during their childhood – starring in feature films, appearing on magazine covers and endorsing products ranging from toothpaste to syrup.

“Beloved, Annette defended the rights of children,” the museum said in a statement announcing her death.

The museum, which seeks to preserve their legacy and educate the public about the quintuplets’ controversial upbringing, added: “She believed it was important to maintain the Dionne Quintuplet Museum and the story it tells for the future of all children.”

The quintuplets – Annette, Yvonne, Cécile, Émilie and Marie – were taken from their parents by the Ontario government when they were babies.

For several years, authorities exposed the children at a compound called “Quintland,” which became a popular tourist attraction.

The children had limited contact with their parents and siblings and were constantly observed.

Their parents then took over custody of the quintuplets.

As adults, Annette, Cécile and Yvonne sued the Ontario government for compensation for the circumstances of their childhood, and they received a settlement totaling nearly 3 million Canadian dollars in 1998.

Annette was the last surviving sister of the 14 Dionne children, the Dionne Quints Home Museum said.

Before Annette and Cécile died this year, Émilie died in 1954, Marie died in 1970 and Yvonne died in 2001.