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| - Big Bertha, a cow owned by a man named Jerome O'Leary, who lived in Sneem, County Kerry, Ireland, indeed lived to the age of 48 and birthed 39 calves, setting two Guinness World Records. There is evidence that Big Bertha helped raise significant funds for cancer research through public appearances and charity events. However ...
... we were unable to independently verify the exact sum Bertha helped raise, nor were we able to verify the claim the cow drank whiskey, as it relies solely on O'Leary's account, with no independent sources or corroborating evidence.
For years, a story spread on social media that there once was a cow named Big Bertha who drank whiskey, lived until she was 48, had 39 calves, broke two Guinness World Records and raised $75,000 for cancer research.
(Instagram user @how.vintage)
The claim spread on numerous social media platforms, including 9GAG, TikTok, Instagram, Threads, iFunny, and Facebook. "When the cow has more achievements than me," one Facebook user wrote.
The cow was also referenced in numerous books available through a Google Books search.
In summary, Big Bertha, a cow from Sneem, County Kerry, Ireland, was purchased as a calf by local farmer Jerome O'Leary. She set two Guinness World Records, living to the age of 48 and producing 39 calves, making her both the oldest and most prolific cow in history. However, the claim about Big Bertha drinking whiskey is undetermined, supported only by the owner's personal account. Moreover, we could not independently verify the claim that Big Bertha raised the sum of $75,000 for cancer research. As a result, we have rated this claim as a mixture of true and undetermined information.
Big Bertha Drank Whiskey?
The first claim in viral posts was that Big Bertha drank whiskey. One Threads post mentioned, "Interestingly, she was known to drink whiskey, often used to celebrate her birthday and other occasions."
A 2022 The Irish Post article reported that according to Big Bertha's owner "she would need a shot of whiskey to steady her nerves before these auspicious public appearances." Historian Turtle Bunbury also shared that O'Leary once told him he would give her "a drop of poitín [aka "Irish moonshine"] or whiskey to steel her nerves against the maddening crowds."
Big Bertha Broke 2 Guinness Records?
Secondly, social media posts claimed Big Bertha lived to 48 years and had 39 calves, breaking two Guinness World Records. One Threads post stated, "She indeed set two Guinness World Records: one for being the oldest cow ever recorded and another for producing 39 calves." This claim also appeared in a 2010 Guardian article and on an X account for Kerry Library.
In fact, according to Guinness World Records, "The oldest age recorded for a cow was 48 years and 9 months for Big Bertha (1944–93), a Dremon owned by Jerome O'Leary of Blackwatersbridge, Co. Kerry, Republic of Ireland." Additionally, Big Bertha was recognized as the most prolific cow, producing 39 calves by 1993. RTÉ, Ireland's national broadcaster, reported on her 39th pregnancy in 1986.
Raised $75K for Cancer Research?
Finally, social media posts and articles claimed Big Bertha "raised $75,000 for cancer research." For instance, the Ballyvolane House Spirits Company noted the cow was "engaged in raising money for local cancer relief charities," and historian Turtle Bunbury reported that her owner, O'Leary, highlighted "her amazing role as a fundraiser."
Big Bertha did indeed help raise significant funds for cancer research through public appearances and charity events. However, the exact amount she raised is uncertain.
A 1993 Deseret News article stated that her appearances at cattle shows helped raise over "$75,000 for cancer research and other charitable causes." This figure may stem from equivalent sums in pounds (£50,000 or £60,000), as Ireland does not use U.S. dollars. A 2000 Irish Independent article reported that O'Leary arranged Big Bertha's appearances, raising over £60,000 for cancer treatment, while a 2014 Farmers Journal article mentioned O'Leary's efforts, alongside Donie Riney and Pat O'Connell, "to raise more than £50,000 for Aid Cancer Treatment (ACT) through Bertha's public appearances."
In an email, Bunbury confirmed that Big Bertha "was certainly involved in raising money for the Pat O'Connell Cancer Fund," citing a 1994 article in The Scotsman, which reported a total of £50,000 raised, and a 2000 article in The Kerryman, which mentioned a sum of £60,000.
Kerry County Council informed us that they do not have any information on this matter.
We have also reached out to Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society and Kerry Library for a comment and will update this article if we receive a response.
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