Who Is The Tallest Person Living Today? Meet Sultan Kosen And More

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Worlds Tallest People

Who Is The Tallest Person Living Today? Meet Sultan Kosen And More

Worlds Tallest People

When we think about extraordinary humans, one of the most fascinating categories is that of extreme height. So, who holds the title of the tallest person living today? As of now, that honor goes to Sultan Kosen, a man from Turkey who stands over 8 feet tall. But Sultan is not the only one who’s captured public attention. There are others, both past and present, who have lived with incredible height, often facing unique challenges and experiences. In this article, we explore Sultan’s life, the history of the tallest people, and what it really means to live at such an extraordinary height.

There’s something about towering figures that captures our imagination. Maybe it’s the sheer scale of their height, or perhaps it’s the way they navigate life differently from the rest of us. Either way, the stories of the tallest people in history offer a glimpse into lives that are both remarkable and, at times, difficult. Sultan Kosen, the current record holder, has become a symbol of resilience and adaptation in the face of such uniqueness.

So, whether you’re curious about the tallest person living, the tallest man in history, or the medical and social aspects of extreme height, this article has everything you need. From biographies to records and insights, read on to learn more about what it takes to be the tallest in the world.

Table of Contents

Sultan Kosen: The Tallest Person Living Today

Let’s start with the current record holder. Sultan Kosen, born in 1982 in Mardin, Turkey, is the tallest living person in the world. He was officially measured at 8 feet 2.82 inches (2.51 meters) tall, a height that makes everyday life quite an adventure.

Biographical Details of Sultan Kosen:

NameSultan Kosen
Height8 ft 2.82 in (2.51 m)
BirthdateDecember 10, 1982
BirthplaceMardin, Turkey
StatusGuinness World Record Holder
OccupationFarmer (formerly), Public Figure
Medical ConditionAcromegaly (due to a pituitary tumor)

Sultan first gained attention when he was just a teenager. His height began increasing rapidly due to a tumor affecting his pituitary gland, which controls growth hormone production. After several surgeries, his growth was finally halted. Despite the medical challenges, Sultan has become an ambassador of sorts for people with rare conditions, often appearing in media and public events.

He currently works with Guinness World Records and occasionally makes appearances, though he prefers a quiet life in Turkey. His story is both inspiring and sobering, showing how extreme height can bring fame, but also daily struggles. If you'd like to learn more about rare human conditions, Guinness World Records is a great resource.

Robert Wadlow: The Tallest Person in History

Now, let’s take a step back in time. Before Sultan Kosen, the tallest person ever recorded was Robert Wadlow from the United States. Born in 1918 in Alton, Illinois, Robert reached a staggering height of 8 feet 11 inches (2.72 meters) by the time he was 22.

What made Wadlow’s story even more unusual was that he continued growing until the day he died. His condition, hyperplasia of the pituitary gland, caused his body to produce excessive growth hormone. Despite his height, he lived a relatively normal life, attending school and even working as a salesman for a photo company.

Robert’s life was filled with challenges, from finding clothes and shoes that fit to dealing with the constant attention from the public and media. His untimely death at age 22 was due to an infected blister caused by a poorly fitting shoe. His legacy lives on, and he remains the tallest person ever verified by medical records.

Medical Conditions Behind Extreme Height

So what causes someone to grow to such an extraordinary height? The main culprit is usually a hormonal imbalance, particularly involving growth hormone. The two most common conditions associated with extreme height are:

  • Acromegaly: This condition occurs when the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone in adulthood, often due to a benign tumor.
  • Gigantism: If the overproduction of growth hormone begins in childhood, the result is gigantism, which leads to extreme height before adulthood.

Both conditions can lead to not just increased height, but also enlarged hands, feet, and facial features. Treatment typically involves surgery or medication to reduce hormone levels. For Sultan Kosen, surgery helped stop his growth, but the effects of his condition remain.

Challenges Faced by Extremely Tall Individuals

Living at extreme heights isn’t just about standing out in a crowd—it comes with real, everyday difficulties. People like Sultan and Robert face a wide range of challenges, including:

  1. Finding Proper Clothing and Shoes: Off-the-shelf options rarely fit, so custom-made apparel and footwear are often necessary. For example, Sultan wears size 266 shoes.
  2. Health Issues: Joint pain, mobility problems, and cardiovascular strain are common among extremely tall people.
  3. Social and Emotional Struggles: Being different can lead to bullying, isolation, or unwanted attention. Sultan has spoken about how difficult it was to grow up feeling like an outsider.
  4. Accessibility: Standard furniture, door frames, and even cars aren’t designed for someone over 8 feet tall. Sultan often has to have special accommodations made.

Despite these challenges, many of the tallest people in history have lived full lives, often embracing their uniqueness and turning it into opportunities for public engagement and advocacy.

Other Tall People Living Today

While Sultan Kosen is the tallest living person, he’s not the only one who stands out. There are several other individuals who are among the tallest in the world right now:

  • Siddiqa Parveen: The tallest living woman, standing at around 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 m) tall. She lives in India and has struggled with health and social issues due to her height.
  • Leonid Stadnyk: A Ukrainian man who previously claimed to be over 8 feet tall, though his height has not been officially verified by Guinness World Records.
  • Bao Xishun: A former record holder from China, he’s still one of the tallest verified individuals alive today.

These individuals, like Sultan, live with the daily realities of being exceptionally tall. Their stories remind us that while fame and records may come with height, so do very real challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the tallest person living today?

Sultan Kosen from Turkey is the tallest person living today, standing at 8 feet 2.82 inches (2.51 meters) tall. He has held the Guinness World Record since 2009 after Robert Wadlow, the previous record holder, passed away in 1940.

How tall was Robert Wadlow?

Robert Wadlow, known as the tallest person in history, reached a height of 8 feet 11 inches (2.72 meters) before he died at the age of 22. His growth was caused by a pituitary gland condition, and he continued growing throughout his life.

What medical condition causes extreme height?

Extreme height is usually caused by either acromegaly (in adults) or gigantism (in children), both of which result from excessive production of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. These conditions can be caused by benign tumors and are often treated with surgery or medication.

If you’re curious to learn more about the science behind human growth, has several articles explaining hormonal conditions and their effects on the human body. You can also read more about how height is measured and verified in the world of records by visiting this page .

Worlds Tallest People
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