A man lived in a monastery for 22 years, posing as a nun (2 photos + 1 video)

The unique story of Frank Tavares, who lived for more than two decades as "Sister Margarita" in Dominican monasteries, shocked the public and became the basis for books and television programs.





The story of the "man-nun" began after a tragic car accident that took the lives of Frank's parents. He was only four years old at the time. Due to financial difficulties, his grandparents were unable to provide proper care for the boy, so he was given to the nuns of the Dominican monastery.

Physical Development Peculiarities

According to Tavares's memoirs, his physical development, namely his small genitals, probably led to him being raised as a girl in the monastery. Frank adapted to women's clothing, adopted the habits of the nuns, and fully integrated into the daily life of the religious community.

At the age of seven, after undergoing a medical examination, the boy was given his true gender, but he continued to live as a girl, fearing expulsion from his only home.



"I never bathed or undressed in front of them. I would quickly dive into the water, wear boxer shorts, fake my period, and choose plus-size dresses," "Sister Margarita" later recalled in an interview.

Romantic Attraction to Nuns

The situation became more complicated when, as a teenager, Frank began to feel romantically attracted to some of the nuns. After one of them became pregnant, he had to transfer to another monastery. It was there that Tavares met Sylvia, with whom he began a passionate relationship. The woman also became pregnant and begged him to leave the monastery to start a family, but Frank, burdened with gratitude to the nuns who took care of him, refused.

Unexpected Exposure

The revelation occurred in 1979, when one of the monastery's teachers accidentally found a letter from "Sister Margarita" to Sylvia. After 22 years of living as a nun, 27-year-old Tavares left the monastery and began a new life as a man.

Having received a profession as a seamstress in the monastery, he quickly found work as a tailor - a profession he still practices at the age of 73.

Frank's romantic story with Sylvia ended when she moved to the United States after a divorce. The man never saw their child, but still considers this woman the love of his life. The unusual fate of "Sister Margarita" has become the subject of numerous television programs and at least two books: "The Undressed Nun" and "Crossroads in the Shadows".