The tallest person in the world was Robert Pershing Wadlow. He was born on February 22, 1918, in Alton, Illinois, USA. With his astonishing height, he successfully broke the Guinness World Record to become the tallest person ever recorded, reaching a height of 2.72 meters (8 feet 11 inches). Robert Pershing Wadlow’s remarkable height was primarily due to a condition called gigantism, which is caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland.
Robert Pershing Wadlow began growing at an incredible rate from birth. By the age of five, he had already reached the height of an average adult. At ten years old, his height had surpassed 1.95 meters (6 feet 5 inches), and his weight was close to 100 kilograms (220 pounds). However, this was not the limit of his height. Even after reaching adulthood, he continued to grow, and his weight eventually reached 222 kilograms (490 pounds). Wadlow’s height caused him considerable difficulty in mobility, and he had to wear specially made shoes. Despite these challenges, he did not give up on his dreams and life.
Wadlow briefly pursued a career as a professional basketball player due to his impressive height. However, due to physical issues, his knee joints began to deteriorate at the age of 27, leading to an early end to his professional basketball career. Wadlow was very fond of photography and had a gentle personality, treating others with kindness. He was affectionately known as the “Alton Giant” and the “Gentle Giant.”
After Wadlow’s death, his story and surviving photographs became the focus of attention, helping many people learn about the rare condition of gigantism. His passing also sparked interest in his height record, which has remained unbroken for decades. Wadlow’s story highlights the diversity of life and the unique challenges faced by those with such rare conditions.
