Imagine this: you’re chilling on your couch, minding your own business, when—BAM!—a meteorite crashes through your roof and smacks you in the side. Sounds like a scene from a sci-fi flick, right? Well, for Ann Hodges, this was her reality.
On November 30, 1954, in Sylacauga, Alabama, a meteorite fell through the skies. It split into three fragments, and one fell through Anne’s roof. Ann was taking a nap when the 8.5-pound meteorite came barreling through her roof, bounced off her radio, and hit her in the thigh, leaving a nasty bruise.
At first, Ann and her mom thought that the chimney had collapsed, leaving a lot of dust and debris.
Maxwell Air Force Base officials came to Ann’s home to confiscate the meteorite. Mr. Hodges however, stated that he had “enough evidence that the thing fell in my house.” The meteorite was eventually given back to the Hodges.
But the real drama unfolded after.
Ann’s landlord, Birdie Guy, claimed the meteorite as her own, sparking a year-long legal battle. Eventually, Ann and her husband, Eugene, paid $500 to settle the dispute. However, by the time they got the meteorite back, interest had waned, and they couldn’t find a buyer.
The media frenzy took a toll on Ann. She was overwhelmed by the attention and the stress of the legal battle. This led to health problems and, eventually, her separation from Eugene in 1964. Ann passed away in 1972 at the age of 52.
Ann Hodges’ story is a stark reminder that sometimes, the universe has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them.
