Who is the tallest person in the world? Here’s the staggering heights of record-holders

Who is the tallest person in the world? Here’s the staggering heights of record-holders.

In the U.S., the average height for an adult man over the age of 20 is 5 feet 9 inches, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For an adult woman, the average height is about 5 feet 3.5 inches tall.

There are plenty of people who rank above average height, however. So, if you think you’re tall, think again. The tallest man ever surpassed the U.S. average height by several feet.

Here are the current world record-holders.

Who is the tallest person in the world?
The current record-holder for the tallest living man is Sultan Kösen of Turkey. He gained the title of “Tallest Living Man” in 2009, according to Guinness World Records.

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At the time, Kösen stood 8 feet 1 inches tall. He was the first man in more than 20 years to be measured at over 8 feet by Guinness World Records. Two years later, Kösen was measured again and he had grown to be 8 feet 2.8 inches tall.

Kösen’s unique height is caused by pituitary gigantism, a condition that results from too much growth hormone being secreted. In 2010, Kösen underwent surgery to stop further growth, Guinness World Records reports.

Kösen also holds the record for the largest hands on a living man. His hands measure 11.22 inches from the wrist to the tip of his middle finger.

Who is the tallest woman in the world?
Rumeysa Gelgi, also of Turkey is the tallest living woman, standing at 7 feet 0.7 inches tall, Guinness World Records reports. Gelgi previously held the title of tallest living teenager and became the tallest living woman when she turned 18.

Her height is due to Weaver syndrome, a rare genetic condition that causes bones to overgrow, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Gelgi is the 27th person in history to have the condition, Guinness World Records reports.

Gelgi also holds three other records: longest finger on a living person (female), largest hands on a living person (female) and longest back on a living person (female).

Who is the tallest man in history?

The tallest man in history was Robert Wadlow, who stood at 8 feet 11.1 inches tall. He was born on Feb. 22, 1918.

Wadlow’s height came as a result of pituitary gigantism. By the time he was 5, Wadlow was 5 feet 4 inches tall, Guinness World Records reports. At 8 years old, he was nearly 6 feet tall.

Wadlow also holds the record for the largest feet and the largest hands ever. Wadlow’s feet measured 18.5 inches long and his hands were 12.7 inches long from his wrist to the tip of his middle finger.

Wadlow died on July 15, 1940, due to an infection. He was 22 years old.