8’ 11” at death.

“Robert Pershing Wadlow (February 22, 1918 – July 15, 1940), also known as the Alton Giant and the Giant of Illinois, was an American who became famous as the tallest person ever in recorded history for whom there is irrefutable evidence.[3] The Alton and Illinois monikers reflect that he was born and raised in Alton, Illinois.[1]”

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Wadlow

“His great size and his continued growth in adulthood were due to hyperplasia of his pituitary gland, which results in an abnormally high level of human growth hormone. He showed no indication of an end to his growth even at the time of his death.”

If he had hit the gym, he would have been a beast

That boy had to look down to see up.

pretty sad actually

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^^^ Yeah only 22 when he died. A short life that I am sure was not pleasant with his constant growth.

I believe he died from an infection caused by a leg brace rubbing through his skin. I’m 6’4” and stood next to his statue and it’s really amazing.

The Handsome Family did a song about him that had a beautiful death metaphor.

The sky was a woman's arms.

He's from my hometown. There is a life-size statue of him downtown, and it's unreal.

quote:

Originally posted by 1s1k:
I believe he died from an infection caused by a leg brace rubbing through his skin. I’m 6’4” and stood next to his statue and it’s really amazing.

If you click the link you see him next to his 6' father. The dad looks like a young child next to his son.

I've heard he was really 8'8" but wore lifts in his shoes.



.

This guy has always amazed me, even back in the 50's when I was in grade school. Everything I ever heard about him was positive.

Thanks for the reminder.