1. Robert Wadlow (1918–1940)

Height: 8 feet 11 inches (272 cm)

1. Robert Wadlow is widely recognized as the tallest human being in recorded history, reaching a height of about 8 feet 11 inches.
2. He was born in Alton, Illinois, and grew at an extraordinary rate due to hyperplasia of his pituitary gland.
3. By the time he was a teenager, he was already taller than most fully grown adults.
4. Wadlow required custom-made clothing, furniture, and even school desks to accommodate his size.
5. Despite his height, he was known as a gentle and polite person, earning the nickname “The Gentle Giant.”
6. Walking was difficult for him, and he relied on leg braces to support his weight.
7. His size placed constant stress on his body, leading to frequent health complications.
8. Wadlow toured with the Ringling Brothers Circus, not as a sideshow act, but as a curiosity and ambassador of sorts.
9. He never considered himself famous and often said he just wanted a normal life.
10. His life was tragically short, as he died at the age of 22 due to an infection caused by his leg brace.
11. Today, statues, photographs, and detailed measurements preserve his legacy as the tallest person ever documented.

2. John Rogan (1868–1905)

Estimated height: about 8 feet 11 inches (272 cm)

1. John Rogan was one of the tallest individuals ever measured, reportedly reaching around 8 feet 11 inches while seated.
2. He was born into slavery in Tennessee and lived most of his life during the Reconstruction era.
3. Rogan’s rapid growth began in his teenage years, likely due to a pituitary disorder.
4. Unlike many extremely tall individuals, he never learned to walk independently.
5. His family cared for him at home, where he became well known in his local community.
6. Rogan was described as intelligent and interested in reading and current events.
7. He avoided public exhibition and was rarely photographed during his lifetime.
8. As he aged, his mobility decreased further, confining him to bed.
9. Medical care at the time was limited, offering little help for his condition.
10. He died at the age of 37, likely from complications related to his extreme size.
11. Rogan’s story highlights how disability and race intersected in 19th-century America.

3. John F. Carroll (1932–1969)

Height: approximately 8 feet 7 inches (262 cm)

1. John F. Carroll was an American man who grew to a height of approximately 8 feet 7 inches.
2. He was born in Buffalo, New York, and began growing unusually fast in early childhood.
3. Carroll suffered from a pituitary tumor that caused excessive growth hormone production.
4. His condition was not fully diagnosed or treated until he was already extremely tall.
5. Everyday tasks such as riding in cars or entering buildings were constant challenges.
6. Carroll appeared in the Guinness World Records during his lifetime.
7. He was known to have a quiet personality and preferred privacy over attention.
8. Medical interventions later in life slowed his growth but could not reverse it.
9. His health deteriorated as his heart and joints struggled to support his size.
10. He died at the age of 37 due to complications related to his condition.
11. Carroll’s life demonstrated the limits of mid-20th-century medical treatment for gigantism.

4. Leonid Stadnyk (1970–2014)

Reported height: over 8 feet 5 inches (257 cm)

1. Leonid Stadnyk was a Ukrainian man often cited as one of the tallest people in modern history.
2. He was reported to be over 8 feet 5 inches tall, though his exact height remains disputed.
3. Stadnyk’s growth was caused by a brain tumor affecting his pituitary gland.
4. Unlike some others, he lived a relatively rural life as a veterinarian.
5. He avoided official measurements, which led to controversy about his records.
6. Despite this, photographs clearly show him towering over those around him.
7. He struggled with mobility and required custom shoes due to his foot size.
8. Stadnyk reportedly declined surgery that might have slowed his growth.
9. His health challenges increased as he aged, particularly in his joints and spine.
10. He died in his early forties, likely from complications related to gigantism.
11. His story reflects how personal choice can shape medical and historical records.

5. Sultan Kösen (1982– )

Height: over 8 feet 2 inches (251 cm)

1. Sultan Kösen is the tallest living person officially recognized by Guinness World Records.
2. He was born in Turkey and reached a confirmed height of over 8 feet 2 inches.
3. His growth was caused by a pituitary condition similar to many others on this list.
4. Kösen spent much of his early life working on a farm.
5. Finding clothing and shoes has always been a major challenge for him.
6. In adulthood, he underwent successful treatment that stopped further growth.
7. This medical intervention significantly improved his quality of life.
8. Kösen has traveled the world, meeting other record holders and dignitaries.
9. He often speaks publicly about living with gigantism.
10. His story is one of medical progress compared to earlier historical cases.
11. He continues to use his fame to raise awareness about rare medical conditions.

6. Väinö Myllyrinne (1909–1963)

Height: about 8 feet 3 inches (251 cm)

1. Väinö Myllyrinne was a Finnish man who reached a height of about 8 feet 3 inches.
2. Unlike many tall individuals, he was athletic and physically strong.
3. Myllyrinne served in the Finnish military despite his unusual size.
4. He worked as a police officer later in life.
5. His height continued to increase even into adulthood.
6. He held the title of tallest living man for a period of time.
7. Daily life still required custom accommodations.
8. He was known for his calm demeanor and discipline.
9. Myllyrinne’s health issues were less severe than many others with gigantism.
10. He died at the age of 54, which was relatively long for someone of his stature.
11. His life challenged assumptions that extreme height always prevents physical activity.

7. Édouard Beaupré (1881–1904)

Height: approximately 8 feet 3 inches (252 cm)

1. Édouard Beaupré was a Canadian man who reached approximately 8 feet 3 inches in height.
2. He was born in Saskatchewan to a family of average stature.
3. Beaupré grew rapidly during adolescence due to a hormonal condition.
4. He worked as a circus performer and strongman.
5. His physical strength was as notable as his height.
6. Traveling performances were physically exhausting for him.
7. He experienced chronic pain and fatigue.
8. Beaupré died at the age of 23 from a pulmonary hemorrhage.
9. His body was controversially preserved after death for medical study.
10. This led to ethical debates about the treatment of human remains.
11. Today, he is remembered both for his size and for those controversies.

8. Zeng Jinlian (1964–1982)

Height: about 8 feet 1 inch (246 cm)

1. Zeng Jinlian was the tallest woman ever reliably recorded.
2. She was born in China and reached a height of about 8 feet 1 inch.
3. Her growth began unusually early in childhood.
4. She experienced severe medical complications throughout her life.
5. Walking and standing were extremely difficult for her.
6. Zeng required constant medical supervision.
7. Her life was largely confined to her home.
8. She died at the age of 17, making her story especially tragic.
9. Doctors learned valuable information from studying her condition.
10. She remains an important figure in medical history.
11. Her story highlights the vulnerability of children with rare disorders.

9. Brahim Takioullah (1982– )

Height: over 8 feet 1 inch (246 cm)

1. Brahim Takioullah is a Moroccan man known for his exceptional height.
2. He stands over 8 feet 1 inch tall.
3. His height made employment and education difficult.
4. Takioullah also holds a record for having one of the largest feet in the world.
5. He has required custom shoes throughout his life.
6. Public curiosity has followed him wherever he goes.
7. He has spoken about the social isolation caused by his size.
8. Medical treatment has helped stabilize his condition.
9. He continues to live independently despite challenges.
10. His life illustrates modern support systems for rare conditions.
11. He represents a more contemporary experience of extreme height.

10. Bao Xishun (1951– )

Height: about 7 feet 9 inches (236 cm)

1. Bao Xishun is a Chinese man who reached a height of about 7 feet 9 inches.
2. While slightly shorter than others on this list, he was once the tallest living man.
3. Bao grew rapidly in his teenage years.
4. He lived a relatively quiet life as a herdsman.
5. His height brought both fame and inconvenience.
6. He struggled with joint pain and mobility issues.
7. Later in life, he became known internationally.
8. Bao used his fame to promote health awareness.
9. He married later in life, defying stereotypes about extreme height.
10. His story is more peaceful than many others on this list.
11. He shows that extreme height does not define an entire life.