The tallest person in the world is Sultan Kösen from Turkey, standing at a towering 2.51 meters in height.
Being extremely tall has advantages and drawbacks;
Often tied to pituitary gigantism, a condition causing excessive growth hormone production.
It can lead to continuous growth, health problems, and the need for crutches.
Hailing from Turkey, Kösen has held this remarkable record since he was officially measured by Guinness World Records in 2009.
Born in 1982, Kösen also claims records for the largest hands, measuring 28.5cm from the wrist to the tip of his middle finger;
And the largest feet, with his left and right feet measuring 36.5cm and 35.5cm, respectively.
However, it’s worth noting that Sultan Kösen isn’t the tallest person in history.
To discover that record, one must journey to the United States.
The Tallest Person In The World Ever
The distinction of the tallest confirmed individual in recorded history belongs to Robert Wadlow;
An American who is a legendary figure in the Guinness World Records.
He achieved an astonishing height of 2.72 meters, a record that remains unmatched.
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Regrettably, Wadlow’s life was cut short at the age of 22 due to the health complications associated with his extreme height, which resulted from pituitary gigantism.
Nowadays, surgery is employed to prevent further growth in individuals with pituitary gigantism.
In Wadlow’s case, he continued to grow until his passing in 1940, largely due to a septic blister on his right ankle;
A result of an improperly fitted brace just a week prior.
This advancement in medical treatment makes it highly improbable that anyone will reach the towering height of Robert Wadlow in the future.
The Tallest Living Woman In The World
The tallest living woman today is Rumeysa Gelgi, from Turkey, standing at 2.15m.
She succeeded Yao Defen, from China, who reached 2.33m before her 2012 passing.
The Tallest Woman Ever In The World
The tallest documented woman ever was Zeng Jinlian,also from China like Yao Defen, reaching a towering 2.46m and passing away in 1982.
John Rogan, an American with gigantism, holds the record as the second-tallest person recorded at 2.67m.
By 1882, he relied on a goat-drawn cart for mobility, unable to walk or stand.
John F Carroll, Guinness World Records holder, measured a remarkable 2.63m;
Second only to Robert Wadlow, securing the record in 1970.
Historically, Roman emperor Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus ‘Thrax,’ who reigned from 235-238, was described as a giant;
With disputed reports of reaching up to 2.4m, based on the unreliable Historia Augusta from the fourth or fifth century.
The first verified individual to reach 2.44m (eight feet) was Anton de Franckenpoint, living in the 16th century and passing away in 1596.
His skeleton is on display at the Museum Anatomicum in Marburg, Germany.
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