Top 8 Tallest Women in the World Today

Malee Duangdee was born in Thailand and stands at an impressive 2.08 meters. She was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the tallest woman in Thailand. Her unusual height was caused by a tumor affecting her nervous system, which led to a hormonal imbalance. Throughout her life, she was teased by her classmates and struggled with loneliness. Unfortunately, Malee passed away on August 27, 2016, at the age of 24 due to complications from several chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, heart problems, and a brain tumor. When she was 9 years old, her parents took her to see doctors because she began growing much taller than her peers. The doctors discovered a large tumor pressing on her brain, which caused her rapid growth.

Every three months, Malee had to undergo injections costing 3,000 USD each in an attempt to stop her growth. Despite these efforts, she continued to grow and gain weight quickly. At 2.08 meters tall and weighing 130 kilograms, her growth showed no signs of slowing down. Her extraordinary height made daily life difficult. The tumor also caused her vision problems, leaving her unable to see clearly. Malee once shared, 'I mostly stay at home with my 3-year-older sister. Every day, I help my mom cook and clean, but I can’t do much more. I’ll never have a boyfriend or get married because I’m so different from everyone else. I wish I could live a normal life like other 19-year-old girls.'

Yao Defen, the tallest woman in the world at the time, passed away in early 2013. She was recognized by the Guinness World Records in 2010 for her height of 2.33 meters. By the time of her death, Yao had reached an astounding height of 2.36 meters and weighed 200 kilograms. Originally from Zucheng, Shandong Province, Yao’s extraordinary growth was caused by a tumor on her pituitary gland. While playing basketball in school, she fainted on the court, prompting medical tests that revealed the tumor responsible for her abnormal growth.

Doctors discovered that the tumor was producing excessive growth hormones, causing her bones to grow uncontrollably. In 2006, she underwent surgery to remove the tumor, which halted her growth for a time. However, the tumor returned the following year, and her family could not afford another surgery. Despite the setback, Yao continued to grow, and after struggling with health issues, she eventually passed away. Yao’s story is one of both medical challenge and human resilience.

Uljana Semjonova is a former Latvian basketball player who, along with Gitika Srivastava, is remembered as one of the tallest female athletes in the world. In the 1970s and 1980s, she was considered the tallest female basketball player in the world, standing at a towering height of 2.13 meters. Her foot size was so large that she often had to wear the largest men’s shoes during games. Semjonova was a dominant force in basketball, winning 15 championships in both the Soviet Union and Europe.

Born on March 9, 1952, Uļjana Larionovna Semjonova was an iconic Soviet-Latvian basketball player who retired after an illustrious career. She is renowned for having the largest feet in women's basketball history. Semjonova played most of her career with TTT Riga, part of the Daugava Volunteer Sports Association. Over the course of her career, she claimed 15 championships in the Soviet Union and European Cup, as well as two Olympic gold medals in 1976 and 1980, never losing an official international game.

Malgorzata Dydek stands out not just for her remarkable height of 2.18 meters, but for her career as a professional basketball player. Known for playing with Connecticut Sun in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), Dydek became the tallest professional female basketball player in history. She was also the only female athlete to be listed in the top 10 tallest sports stars of all time. After retiring, Dydek briefly coached the Northside Wizards, a basketball team based in Queensland.

Standing at 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 meters), Dydek is regarded as the tallest female basketball player to ever compete professionally. In her career, she was named WNBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1998 while playing for the Utah Starzz. She also played for the San Antonio Silver Stars, Connecticut Sun, and Los Angeles Sparks. Dydek, born on April 28, 1974, in Warsaw, Poland, inherited her height from her parents, with her father standing 2 meters tall and her mother at 1.95 meters. Her younger sister, Kashka, also played for the Colorado Explosion basketball team in Poland.

Sandy Allen, who stood at an astonishing 2.32 meters, held the title of the tallest woman in the world from 1976 until 2008. A Canadian by birth, Sandy Allen earned a place in the Guinness World Records for her towering height. Unfortunately, she was bedridden for a period in 2008 and passed away at the age of 45. Her extraordinary height was attributed to a tumor on her pituitary gland that caused abnormal growth. In 1977, Sandy Allen underwent surgery to limit her growth. In 1976, she officially became the tallest living woman at 2.31 meters according to Guinness World Records—a title she held even after her passing.

After earning this title, Sandy's life dramatically changed. From a regular office worker, she suddenly received numerous media invitations, including interviews and offers to appear in films. She played the role of a giant heroine in the movie *Side Show*, where her immense height allowed the filmmakers to skip using special effects for her character. Following her acting career, Sandy became an author and a motivational speaker, traveling the world to share her experience of living with a unique appearance. She appeared in several documentaries and events, drawing the gaze of everyone she met—people had to look up to see her.

Amazon Eve is a woman with a mix of German and Dutch heritage. Born on February 23, 1979, in California, she was once ridiculed as a freak due to her height of 2.03 meters and weight of 94 kg. However, when she appeared on the cover of the Australian magazine Zoo Weekly, she gained widespread recognition not only for her appearance but also for her talents. Today, Amazon Eve holds the title of the tallest model in the world. Her exceptional height likely comes from her parents; her mother stands at 1.85 meters, and her father is 2.01 meters tall. At just 14, Amazon Eve had already reached 1.8 meters, and within the next four years, she grew to an impressive 2.03 meters. Truly remarkable!

Amazon Eve does not reveal her real name, but some who have met the towering model suggest that her name is Evan. The name Amazon is quite fitting as well. In Greek mythology, the Amazons were a tribe of warrior women who fought in the battle of Diro against the Egyptians. In English, the term also refers to women with a physique similar to men. Both interpretations apply to the woman who stands over 2 meters tall, and Amazon Eve embraces this name. While she doesn't share much about her personal life, she has mentioned her German-Dutch heritage. She initially pursued a law degree but dropped out, possibly due to the discomfort she felt from the judgmental stares of men who saw her as a curiosity. She eventually chose to become a fitness trainer and teaches self-defense to women.

Caroline Welz was born on July 6, 1986, in Germany. Standing at an impressive height of 2.06 meters with captivating eyes, she has won the hearts of many men. She holds the title of the tallest woman in Germany. Despite her towering height, her body is perfectly proportioned, and her beautiful face has made her a favorite in the fashion world. Caroline works as a freelance model and seamstress. She even graced the cover of FHM magazine in June 2006. One of the biggest challenges she faces, however, is finding shoes. Her feet are an astonishing 130 cm long, making it nearly impossible to find suitable footwear.

While many women dream of having model-like height and long legs, being exceptionally tall can present its own difficulties, as Caroline's story shows. With a staggering height of 2.05 meters, Caroline takes pride in being one of the tallest women in history and the tallest in Germany. Her remarkable stature has also become a source of inspiration for people in her country.

Elisany da Cruz Silava is from Brazil. Standing at 2.07 meters, she is believed to be the tallest woman in Brazil. Elisany's growth began at the age of 11, making her taller than her peers and family members. Doctors explained that her height was a result of a tumor in her pituitary gland, and they planned surgery to stop her growth. Elisany is now preparing for marriage, though her condition has made it difficult for her to conceive. Interestingly, Elisany is even taller than famous English footballer Peter Crouch. Her rapid growth caused joint pain and discomfort in her limbs.

In the past, Elisany's family sought medical help to remove the pituitary gland tumor, which resulted in her height being reduced by 2 cm. However, Elisany still couldn't fit into a school bus. Due to constant teasing, she decided to leave school and pursue her dream of becoming a model. Beyond her extraordinary height, Elisany has also captured attention with her fairy-tale romance with Francinaldo da Silva Carvalho (born 1990), who is 40 cm shorter than her. In 2013, she publicly announced her relationship with Carvalho on social media. The couple's significant height difference quickly attracted public curiosity. Francinaldo, a construction worker, shared that although he has to stretch, crane his neck, and tiptoe to kiss his girlfriend, it doesn't create any distance in their love.