How tall are you? 🙋♂️
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be the tallest or shortest person in the entire world?
From towering giants who can see over almost anything, to tiny humans who can fit in the smallest spaces, there are some truly amazing people out there…
People who have stood out – literally 😆 – and caught our attention here at Guinness World Records!
Keep reading for a closer look at the world's tallest and shortest people, as we get to see how it feels to be like them and how their unique heights made them famous.
Tallest man
In 2009, Sultan Kösen officially gained the title of the world's tallest man!
The part-time farmer from Turkey is 251 cm (8 ft 3 in) tall. 😲
What is really surprising is that Sultan didn’t start his incredible growth spurt until he was 10 years old…
His super-size is caused by a condition known as "pituitary gigantism" which can cause huge hands, extra thick bones and painful joints. 🦴
In fact, he also holds the record for largest hands on a living person, each one measuring 28.5 cm (11.22 in) from the wrist to the tip of the middle finger.
Since gaining his record title, many great things have happened in Sultan’s life, such as:
- He received free life-saving surgery to stop his non-stop growth. 👨⚕️
- He got the chance to travel the world. ✈️
Tallest woman
In 2021, Rumeysa Gelgi (also from Turkey!) was recognized as the world’s tallest woman living, at a height of 215.16 cm (7 ft 0.7 in). 🤯
Unlike Sultan, Rumeysa’s huge height is caused by Weaver Syndrome, an extremely rare genetic condition which causes her bones and body parts to grow much faster than most people, and it started at birth. 🦴️
Rumeysa feels very lucky to hold a world record: "Being a record-holder is a very amazing thing. I know that only the special people can make it and I know I’m one of them now."
Of course, being different from everyone else is not always easy.
In fact, it can be quite hard sometimes.
Here is Rumeysa’s advice to anyone who is having a hard time embracing their nature:
"Every disadvantage can be turned into an advantage for yourself, so accept yourself for who you are, be aware of your potential and do your best."
We couldn’t agree more! ❤️
Shortest man
In 2022, at the age of 20, Afshin Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh from Iran became the new shortest man living, with a height of 65.24 cm (2 ft 1.6 in)!
Afshin grew up in a small village in Iran and life hasn’t been easy for him, especially since he couldn’t go to school due to his size…
However, he is very kind, outgoing, and popular with the neighbours and friends in the village! 🤗
Becoming a world record holder has earned him a place in the spotlight:
“Just thinking about being part of the Guinness World Records family is like a dream,”he told us.“I struggle to believe it sometimes. It is like you wake up the next day and the entire world now knows who you are. That’s magical!”
He said that what he likes the most is the attention he gets from people: “It makes me feel special.”
Afshin, you truly are special! ✨
Shortest woman
But there is someone even shorter than the world’s shortest man…
The world’s shortest woman, of course!
Jyoti Amge from India may be small in size, but her personality is extra, EXTRA large. 💪
Jyoti was an average-sized child until the age of 5.
Then she didn’t grow much more. Ever. 😲
When she earned the title, she was measured at 62.8 cm (2 ft 0.7 in) tall.
Jyoti has a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia, and will never grow beyond a certain height.
But that hasn’t stopped her from achieving big things in life, such as:
- Travelling the world.
- Becoming the world's shortest actress, who played in the popular TV series American Horror Story. 🤩
Shortest non-mobile woman
Last but not least, meet Wildine Aumoithe, the world’s shortest non-mobile woman. 🤩
The young woman from Florida, USA is just 72 cm (28.3 in) tall!
Wildine can’t walk, but that doesn’t stop her from living a great life and wanting to inspire other little people around the world:
“I want to show the world that even though I am short I am able to live my best life and I can conquer this world even though this world was not build for me."
When Wildine was first born, the doctors didn’t think she would live for very long…
But here she is 21 years later, enjoying life to the fullest! 😎
In fact, she also became the world’s shortest female model, after modelling in Runway Of Dreams: A Fashion Revolution at New York Fashion Week.
Pretty cool, right?!
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