Buzz
Giants frequently feature in fairy tales and folklore. Yet, there have been real-life giants who once roamed the Earth, standing out for their extraordinary size.
These giants were not only tall but also heavy, with huge appetites to match. Unfortunately, their immense size often led to severe health problems, as their bodies struggled to support their weight and height. Too often, they were treated as circus attractions or reduced to mere statistics, overlooking their humanity and the fact that they shared the same dreams and desires as the rest of us.
10. Fyodor Makhnov
Fyodor Makhnov (sometimes spelled ‘Fyodor Machnow’ or ‘Fedor Machnov’) was born in Kasciuki, in present-day Belarus, in June 1878. He began growing at an accelerated rate at the age of eight and reached a height of 200 centimeters (6'7") by the time he turned 14. He required specially made clothing and footwear and slept in a bed designed for his size. His boots were so large they reached the waist of average-sized individuals, and children would often play hide-and-seek by hiding inside them.
Makhnov became part of the circus at age 14, although he didn’t begin performing until he was 16. While different sources offer varying figures, it is believed he ultimately grew to around 250 centimeters (8'2") by the time he reached adulthood.
Scientists frequently approached him with contracts to acquire the rights to his corpse, but he consistently declined, fearing that he might be murdered. He later married Efrosinja Lebedeva, who, though still significantly shorter than him, was taller than most women, standing 100 centimeters (3'3") shorter than him. They had one daughter and three sons.
Makhnov’s appetite was legendary. Every morning, he would consume a massive breakfast consisting of 20 eggs, eight loaves of bread, and 2 liters (0.5 gallons) of tea. For lunch, his meal included 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of potatoes, 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds) of meat, and 3 liters (0.8 gallons) of beer. Dinner would see him finish off a loaf of bread, 15 eggs, and 1 liter (0.3 gallons) of milk. He passed away in 1912 at the age of 34.
9. Adam Rainer
Adam Rainer holds the unique distinction of being the only recorded dwarf who eventually grew into a giant. Born in Graz, Austria, in 1899, he attempted to enlist in the military when World War I erupted, but he was turned away due to his short stature, measuring just 138 centimeters (4'6"). A dwarf is defined as anyone shorter than 147 centimeters (4'10"). He tried again the following year but faced rejection once more. At the age of 19, his height was 143 centimeters (4'8").
At 21, Rainer began to grow at an extraordinary rate, eventually reaching an astounding 216 centimeters (7'1"). As his height increased, his spinal cord curved and his face and jaw enlarged. He underwent surgery to halt the overproduction of growth hormones by his pituitary gland.
Though the surgery slowed his growth, it did not stop it entirely. His condition began to take a toll on his health—he lost vision in one eye and hearing in one ear. Ultimately, his severely curved spine left him bedridden. He passed away at the age of 51, having reached a towering 234 centimeters (7'8").
8. Anna Haining Bates
Anna Haining Bates was born in Mill Brook, Nova Scotia, in August 1846. She grew up just like any other child until she began to grow at an extraordinary rate. By age five, she had already reached 142 centimeters (4'8") and weighed more than 45 kilograms (100 lb). By the time she turned 22, she stood an impressive 229 centimeters (7'6") and weighed 159 kilograms (350 lb).
At 16, Bates entered show business, often appearing alongside a dwarf for dramatic effect. In July 1865, she narrowly escaped death in a fire at Barnum’s museum. With the stairs engulfed in flames and her height making it impossible to escape through the window, she was rescued when workers tore down the walls and used a crane to lift her out.
In 1871, she met Martin Van Buren Bates, also known as the 'Kentucky Giant.' He stood 221 centimeters (7'3"), although some accounts claim he was as tall as 234 centimeters (7'8"). They married and became a circus attraction as 'the world’s largest married couple.' Their home was uniquely designed with 2.6-meter-high (8.5 ft) doors and extra-large furniture to accommodate their size.
The couple had two children, both of whom tragically passed away shortly after birth. Their first, a daughter, was 69 centimeters (27 in) tall and weighed 8 kilograms (18 lb), but she died soon after birth. Their second, a son, was 76 centimeters (30 in) tall and weighed 10 kilograms (23 lb), but he lived only 11 hours. Bates passed away in 1888 at the age of 41.
7. Chang Yu Sing
In the 1840s, Zhan Shichai, also known as 'Chang Woo Gow' or 'Chang Yu Sing,' was born in China. He grew to a towering 236 centimeters (7'9") and was appointed to the emperor's court. Eventually, he left China for what was supposed to be a short visit to England, but he ended up staying for two years. During that time, thousands of people paid three shillings just to catch a glimpse of him.
Zhan toured through Europe, often appearing alongside a dwarf for dramatic effect. In 1881, he joined P.T. Barnum's circus, where he became a favorite among female admirers, frequently being asked about his marital status. Zhan passed away in 1893, and in accordance with his wishes, his funeral was a private affair attended by only 50 friends. His coffin measured an impressive 2.6 meters (8.5 ft) in length.
6. Joseph Edouard Beaupre
Joseph Edouard Beaupre was born in Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan, on January 9, 1881. His parents were of average height, and so was he—until the age of three, when his growth began to accelerate. By the time he turned nine, he had surpassed his parents' height. At 12, he reached 198 centimeters (6'6"), and by 17, he was 216 centimeters (7'1"). At this age, he famously lifted a 363-kilogram (800 lb) horse.
Beaupre's growth continued, and by 1904, he had reached an astounding 251 centimeters (8'3"). He wore custom-made shoes, size 22, to accommodate his immense feet. He briefly pursued a career as a cowboy, but his plans were abandoned when he found that his feet touched the ground while riding a horse. At 21, he joined a circus, but the strain of performing took a toll on him. He struggled with sleep issues and was afflicted by tuberculosis, which caused him to cough frequently.
On July 3, 1904, Beaupre died at the age of 23 after coughing up blood and losing consciousness following a performance. His circus refused to cover his burial expenses, and his father, Gaspard, was too poor to afford it. Beaupre's body remained with the undertakers and was eventually displayed in store windows and museums.
In 1907, Beaupre's body was found in an abandoned circus hangar. It was taken to Montreal University, where it was mummified and stored. In 1970, his descendant, Ovila Lesperance, discovered his remains and requested the university release the body for proper burial.
Initially, the university was hesitant to release the body, worried that it might be stolen and displayed again. However, they eventually agreed, and Beaupre's remains were cremated in September 1989, 85 years after his death.
5. Patrick Cotter O’Brien
Patrick Cotter was born in Kinsale, Ireland, on January 19, 1760. He grew to a towering 246 centimeters (8'1"), becoming the first among 13 known individuals to surpass 244 centimeters (8'0").
At 18, he worked as a bricklayer. Unlike his fellow workers who used ladders to reach the tops of cottages, he simply stretched his hand to complete the task.
He later entered show business and adopted the name “O’Brien,” inspired by legendary tall Irish kings. Cotter traveled in a specially designed carriage. On one occasion, a highwayman tried to rob the carriage but fled in terror upon seeing Cotter inside. His extraordinary size eventually took a toll on his body, and he passed away on September 8, 1806, at the age of 46.
4. Arthur Caley
Arthur Caley was born in Sulby, Isle of Man, in 1824. He had a normal build until his late teens when his growth spurt began. He eventually reached 241 centimeters (7'11") and weighed over 178 kilograms (392 lb), earning the nickname “Manx Giant.” Unlike most giants, he was not only tall but also broad, gaining width along with his height.
Caley frequently exhibited his remarkable size in cities like Manchester, London, and Paris before mysteriously vanishing. His mother claimed he had died and been buried, but some people were skeptical. Just weeks before, his life had been insured for £2,000, leading many to suspect his death was an insurance fraud and that a tree had been buried in his place.
In truth, Caley was never dead. He had secretly traveled to the United States, where he joined P.T. Barnum’s circus under the name “Colonel Routh Goshen, the Arabian Giant.” His former identity as the Manx Giant remained a closely guarded secret until his death in 1889.
3. Bernard Coyne
Bernard Coyne, also known as “Bernard the Giant,” was born in Anthon, Iowa, on July 27, 1897. There is some debate about his exact height. Some sources claim he stood at 249 centimeters (8'2"), others say 254 centimeters (8'4"), and some argue he reached 264 centimeters (8'8"). Regardless, he was well over 244 centimeters (8'0"), making him too tall to be accepted by the army during World War I.
Unlike most individuals of his extreme height, whose growth is due to abnormalities in the pituitary gland, Bernard's towering stature resulted from a rare condition known as eunuchoidal-infantile gigantism. His parents initially put him on display for money when he was younger but later stopped out of fear of divine retribution.
As Bernard grew older, he turned down multiple offers to display himself and instead chose to live a more peaceful life. His shoes were an enormous size 24, and he weighed 136 kilograms (300 lb). He passed away on May 20, 1921, at the age of 23.
2. Angus MacAskill
Angus MacAskill, born in 1825 on the Isle of Berneray in Scotland, holds the record as the tallest ‘true giant’ ever according to Guinness World Records, as his height was not due to any growth disorder. Remarkably, he was so small at birth that doctors doubted he would survive.
Reaching a height of 236 centimeters (7’9″), MacAskill was also known for his extraordinary measurements. His chest, at 203 centimeters (80 inches), remains the largest ever recorded. His feet measured 41 centimeters (16 inches) long and 20 centimeters (8 inches) wide. His shoulders were 112 centimeters (44 inches) across, and his palms were 20 centimeters (8 inches) wide. Weighing 227 kilograms (500 lb), he was strong enough to lift a 1,270-kilogram (2,800 lb) ship’s anchor and could carry two 159-kilogram (350 lb) barrels under his arms. He was also capable of lifting a 45-kilogram (100 lb) weight for 10 minutes using only two fingers.
MacAskill frequently received offers from people who wanted to challenge him to a wrestling match. One persistent man finally reconsidered after MacAskill shook his hand so firmly that it left the man’s hand bleeding. In 1849, MacAskill joined the circus and toured Cuba, the East Indies, Europe, and North America. After retiring, he opened a store and ventured into real estate. He passed away from brain fever in 1863.
1. Robert Wadlow
Robert Wadlow was born on February 22, 1918, as a normal-sized baby, but his growth quickly became noticeable. By the time he was five, he had reached 163 centimeters (5’4″) and was already wearing clothes made for teenagers.
At eight years old, Robert had surpassed his 180-centimeter-tall (5’11”) father in height and was even strong enough to carry him up the stairs. When he joined the Boy Scouts at the age of 13, his uniform, tent, and sleeping bag had to be custom-made to fit his size.
By the age of 17, Wadlow had reached 245 centimeters (8’1″), making him the tallest teenager ever recorded. In 1936, he joined the Ringling Brothers Circus as a spectacle. His appetite was immense, consuming 8,000 calories daily. Despite his towering size, Wadlow faced challenges with walking. He often relied on leg braces and a walking stick, but his growth continued.
This became problematic in 1940 when he was fitted with a brace that didn’t fit properly. Within a week, the brace caused a blister on his ankle that quickly became infected. The infection led to his death on July 15, 1940, at just 22 years old.
Wadlow’s coffin was 3.3 meters (10.8 ft) long, 81 centimeters (32 in) wide, and 76 centimeters (30 in) deep. The last time he was measured, on June 27, 1940, he stood at 272 centimeters (8’11”). His hands measured 32.3 centimeters (12.7 in) and his feet were 47 centimeters (18.5 in) long, both records for the longest ever.
