Buzz
Some friends are tall, but others tower over you, making you feel as though you're speaking to the literal tallest person alive. NoSystem images / Getty ImagesThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the average height in the United States is 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters) for adult men and 5 feet inches (1.61 meters) for adult women. However, some individuals can grow as tall as 7 to 8 feet (2.1 to 2.4 meters)!
In this article, we'll explore the lives of some of the most towering individuals on Earth.
What Determines a Person's Height?
Height is largely determined by genetics, but also influenced by:
- Your location: Average height can vary between countries, influenced by both genetic factors and elements like malnutrition.
- Your time period: Some populations have seen an increase in height over the last century (South Korean women grew by nearly 8 inches or 20.2 centimeters, and Iranian men by 6.5 inches or 16.5 centimeters), while others have experienced a decrease.
- Health factors: Childhood illnesses can stunt growth, while conditions like gigantism can promote excessive growth.
- Gender: Analyzing 100 years of data from 200 countries, the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC) found that men are generally taller than women. In 1896, men were on average 4.33 inches (11 centimeters) taller than women, a difference that grew to 4.72 inches (12 centimeters) by 1996.
The Tallest Population Worldwide
One nation stands out for its citizens' height: the Netherlands. According to NCD-RisC, Dutch men are "the tallest people on the planet", averaging 5 feet 11.85 inches (182.5 centimeters) by the end of the 20th century. (The author's Dutch father stands 6 feet, 4 inches, or 1.93 meters.)
Other countries with men taller than 181 centimeters (5 feet, 11.26 inches) include Belgium (to the south of the Netherlands), Estonia, Latvia, and Denmark.
The tallest women in the world are those who stand taller than 168 centimeters (5 feet, 6 inches), and they are from countries like Latvia, the Netherlands, Estonia, and the Czech Republic.
World's Tallest Living Woman
Rumeysa Gelgi from Turkey holds the Guinness World Record for being the world's tallest living woman. In May 2021, she was measured at 7 feet, 0.7 inches (2.15 meters) tall.
Before claiming the title of the tallest woman alive, Gelgi was also recognized as the tallest living teenage girl. In addition, she holds records for having the longest finger on a living female (4.40 inches or 11.2 centimeters) and the largest hands of any living female, with her right hand measuring 9.81 inches (24.93 centimeters) and her left hand at 9.55 inches (24.26 centimeters).
Gelgi was born with Weaver Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes rapid growth, and spent much of her childhood in hospitals. She is now a web developer and an advocate for her community.
"Living with some severe diagnoses throughout my life motivated me to raise awareness, push for better treatment options, and empower others facing similar challenges," Gelgi shared with Guinness World Records.
The Tallest Person Alive Today
Sultan Kösen, also from Turkey, set the world record for the tallest living man in 2011, standing at 8 feet, 2.8 inches (2.51 meters).
As the tallest man on the planet, Kösen also holds the title for the world's tallest person and the largest hands of any living person. His hands are 11.22 inches (28.5 centimeters) long, with a span of 12 inches (30.48 centimeters).
The previous record was held by Xi Chun of China, who stood at 7 feet, 8.9 inches (2.36 meters).
The Tallest People Ever Recorded
Robert Wadlow (1918–1940) of the U.S. holds the record for the tallest man — and the tallest person — ever. When measured for the final time in June 1940, he stood at an astounding 8 feet, 11.1 inches (2.72 meters). Sadly, he passed away just 18 days later due to a septic blister caused by a poorly fitted brace.
Unsurprisingly, Wadlow also held the record for the largest feet ever, measuring 1 foot 6.5 inches (47 centimeters) in length, and his hands were the largest ever at 12.75 inches (32.4 centimeters).
Zeng Jinlian (1964–1982) from China reached a height of 8 feet 1 inch (2.46 meters) when she passed away, making her the tallest woman ever. As documented by Guinness World Records, Zeng remains the only woman to have surpassed 8 feet (approximately 2.44 meters) in height.
Professionally Tall Individuals
For some individuals, being tall is an essential part of their profession.
Basketball Athletes
Height plays a key role in basketball, a sport where players aim to place a ball into a hoop that is 10 feet (3.05 meters) off the ground. During the 2023-24 season, the average height of an NBA player stood at 6 feet, 6.5 inches, or 1.99 meters.
The tallest player in the WNBA today is 6-foot-11-inch (2.12-meter) Han Xu from China, who competes for the New York Liberty. Han made history in 2019 as the first Chinese player to be drafted to the WNBA in 22 years, joining at the age of 19.
Han stands just 3 inches (6 centimeters) shorter than the tallest WNBA player ever, Poland's Malgorzata "Margo" Dydek. Dydek played for several teams, including the San Antonio Silver Stars (formerly Utah Starzz), the Connecticut Sun, and the Los Angeles Sparks, before retiring in 2008. She passed away from a heart attack in 2011.
As of the 2024 season, the tallest active NBA player is France's Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, standing at 7 feet, 4 inches (2.24 meters). Wembanyama is just 3 inches (7 cm) shorter than the tallest NBA players ever, Romania's Gheorghe Mureșan and Sudan's Manute Bol, both of whom measured 7 feet, 7 inches (2.31 meters) during their careers.
Manute Bol passed away in 2010 at the age of 47 due to kidney failure. His son, Bol Bol, stands 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 meters) tall and currently plays for the Phoenix Suns.
Fashion Models on the Runway
According to a 2024 market report from Gitnux, the average height for female models in the U.S. is 5 feet, 9 inches (1.75 meters), making modeling one of the professions that attracts taller individuals.
In 2023, 5-foot-11-inch (1.8-meter) Chinese model Yilan Hua appeared in more fashion shows than any other model. Other notable tall supermodels include Australian Elle Macpherson (5 feet, 11.75 inches or 1.82 meters) and American Karlie Kloss (6 feet, 1.5 inches or 1.87 meters).
Ekaterina Lisina from Russia holds the world record for the tallest professional model, standing at an impressive 6 feet, 8.77 inches (2.05 meters). While taller than most models, regardless of gender, she is not the tallest living woman. Lisina also had a successful basketball career, winning a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics.
