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The anorexic professor who ate so little her heart was the size of a child's
Last updated at 02:52am on 23.04.08
Deadly thin: Rosemary Pope weighed less than five stone when she died from anorexia. She ate little more than diet sweets and coffee
Rosemary Pope, 49, starved herself for so long that her heart had shrunk to the size of a child's.
Renowned as an exceptional academic, she threw herself into her work and hid her 30-year battle with anorexia from colleagues.
It was only this year, after struggling with the demands of her challenging job as Pro Vice Chancellor of Bournemouth University, that her body began to fail.
Tipped over the edge by a stomach virus, she collapsed alone at her home.
Yesterday, Professor Pope's brother, Michael Pope, 50, told the Bournemouth inquest: "Rosemary's eating had been an issue from her teenage years.
"We were fully aware she had an eating disorder but were very wary of broaching the subject in case it caused her distress.
"Despite this, none of us suspected her eating habits would lead to her death."
The inquest heard that Professor Pope, who never married or had children, had a "very distinguished academic career of national and international importance".
She took a psychology degree, followed by a PhD which she completed in 1989.
Following this, she worked at Greenwich University, then Surrey University before becoming head of the European School of Health in 1998.
She was also responsible for researching health education to advise national policy.
In June 2006, she became Pro Vice Chancellor at Bournemouth, where she was in charge of overhauling the education system.
But by 2008, the inquest heard, the job was making her "anxious" and she was concerned about the impact of the reshuffles on some individuals.
In January this year, she contracted norovirus, a stomach illness which made her sick and became even thinner than usual.
Her colleagues began to voice concern over her skeletal appearance but she refused to see a doctor.
On March 21, Good Friday, she was found dead in her detached house in the upmarket Queens Park area of Bournemouth.
It is thought she collapsed after returning from a shopping trip the day before.
The stress of carrying the bags may have caused her frail body to fail, the inquest heard.
Professor Pope, who was 4ft 10in tall, suffered hypoglycaemia, a complete drop in blood sugar levels.
This probably caused her to fall into a coma and her heart to stop beating.
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Brothers Christopher (left) and Michael Pope outside the Coroners Court in Bournemouth. Michael said their sister's 'Eating had been an issue from her teenage years'
Her body was found by her younger brother Christopher, 47, who lives in London.
She had a pot of crème fraiche in her left hand, suggesting she may have been aware she needed some energy just before she died.
The shopping bags were found to contain several food-related magazines. She had also been hoarding tinned food.
Michael Pope, a solicitor from Sidcup in Kent, told the inquest his sister took desperate measures to avoid eating.
When she went to stay with him, she brought her own food and refused what he offered.
At Christmas 2007, Professor Pope invited her two brothers and their children to her house, where she provided a "feast".
But she left the room while they ate.
Colleagues told the inquest that Professor Pope appeared to live on WeightWatchers sweets, soft cheese and coffee.
She was said to have huge "mental and intellectual" capacity.
Colleagues described her as having an "unusually vivacious and outgoing personality" with a "robust sense of humour".
The coroner for East Dorset, Sheriff Payne, recorded a verdict of death by anorexia nervosa.
After the hearing her brothers said in a statement: "We are devastated by Rosemary's death.
"Although she had suffered from an eating disorder for some years, she was an incredibly enthusiastic, energetic and capable person.
"We find it hard to understand how she was able to carry on at all times without any interruption to her life or work despite her low levels of nutrition.
"She was an understanding, generous and loving sister and aunt and she will be greatly missed."
Reader views (7)
Anorexia is a very complex disorder, that is misunderstood by many. Obviously is reaches all of societal standards. It is an illness that does not discriminate. To say that she "should have been educated enough to reach out for help," is sadly a discrimination done by people that have never suffered with the illness. I am 40, and have been dealing with anorexia since I was 13. It is a harsh, cruel and debilitating disease. WE do not want the disease or "attention". We wish to get better. It has absolutely nothing to do with the "food issue" or vanity. Our self-esteem is demolished, not to mention, all of us have deep-rooted abuse or neglect, that we have carried or either do not wish to "share" or it has effected us so tremendously that it's so burried. It is unfair to make a judgement on this woman. I feel great sympathy for the family. I wish there were a way they could have educated themselves enough to seek profesional help for her, before her death took her from this world. My prayers go to the family. I hope her death can now become a "teaching tool," for many to gain knowledge. God bless!
- Genale Smith, Quentin, Pa. USA, 16/03/2010 18:41
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The educated family came to eat a feast that she provided and then she died because the family she loved didn't want to make the effort. They let her die, what? Live and let...live or in her case let die.
- Pam, Wildomar, CA, 25/04/2008 04:37
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The pressure for women to stay "skinny and youthful" and therefore more "beautiful" and "successful" in the eyes of the world is incredible. Just go to your local grocery store and choose a magazine! Obviously, the nuclear fallout from societies' objectification of women crosses all socio-economic and intellectual barriers. None of us are safe. Heaven help our daughters.
- Womanhood, Lehi, Ut, USA, 25/04/2008 04:10
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I bet she didn't regret a minute of her life. Sounds like an unforgettable, cherished woman. The anguish of this disease is hard for everyone involved, so I expect her family is feeling the burden of what they could have done....which is ultimately, nothing. It was her choice to live like this, let's not minimize her by expecting her to be beyond this disease. Many healthy, active, successful people battle their own demons, and the world never knows.
- Lisa, Nevada, USA, 24/04/2008 08:33
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It is highly ironic that she was a psychology major, and a Phd., yet she was unable to help herself or have enough mental clarity to seek assistance from another professional.
Could it be that anorexia is another sort of Peter Pan complex manifestation? Perhaps is just another way of staying Forever Young for these adults. A refusal to get big and develop a womanly shape in her case. We need to tell our girls that hips and breast are ok.
What is it about growing up that is scaring these people?
- Mpayan, San Diego, CA USA, 23/04/2008 17:26
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Quote...'"We were fully aware she had an eating disorder but were very wary of broaching the subject in case it caused her distress.'
Killed by political correctness.
How unbelievably stupid.
- Clive, Sittingbourne UK, 23/04/2008 14:19
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I always hate to see things like this happen. But, this is the effect of today's society harping on losing weight. Maybe we should talk about being healthy as opposed to being skinny. People with low self esteem will kill themselves just to fit the description of skinny, and it's heart breaking. I am not sure why this intelligent professor didn't seek help for herself, but I can only imagine that she felt as long as she was skinny, she was ok. My heart truly goes out to the family. I hope that this world can see that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and being skinny does not mean that you are healthy.
- Heather, Columbia, SC-United States, 23/04/2008 14:18
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