Harry Houdini’s mother prayed that Harry and his wife Bess would have children, but they didn’t have any. Bess had a medical condition that prevented her from conceiving children.

Bess and Harry regretted their childlessness.^ They lavished attention on their dog and fantasized about having a child. For example, in an article published in the Ohio State Journal on December 6, 1911, Bess claimed that she and Harry had a daughter who would soon marry. Bess claimed to be busy sewing a wedding dress for her daughter. Bess’ claim to have a soon-to-be-married daughter was a fantasy that got reported as fact.