World Tallest Man Ever - Robert Wadlow

We have always come across many “Giants” depicted in popular fantasy movies since our childhood days. But have we ever imagined how tall these giants could be in our real life..!!

Born to two regular sized parents on 22 February, 1918, Robert Wadlow, a mild mannered American went on to script record in the medical history of the world.

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With irrefutable evidence, Robert Wadlow is recognized as the tallest man ever in the world till date. When last measured on 27 June, 1940 (just a few days before his death), Robert Wadlow stretched a staggering 2.72 m (8 ft. 11.1 in) tall.

At the age of eight he overtook his 5 ft. 11 in tall father and also towered over his four young siblings. His incredible height caused a number of medical issues but Robert tried his hardest to get involved in the same activities his peers were doing. By the age of 17, Robert passed the 2.45m (8 ft. 0.5 in) mark making him the tallest teenager ever.

Soon after graduating from high school, Robert Wadlow embarked on a tour with the hugely popular Ringling Brother Circus, which saw him earn worldwide fame. He took his new-found celebrity status in his stride, and used it to earn money from public appearances.

Robert also boasted of two records- of having the largest feet ever and the largest hands ever.

But what was the reason behind Robert’s extraordinary height?

Doctors examined Robert and realized that his exceptional size was caused by hyperplasia of his pituitary gland, a condition which causes an abnormally high level of the human growth hormone and Robert was never given any treatment to stop it.

But unfortunately, it was Robert’s extraordinary height that caused his premature death at the age of just 22.

As a result of his extraordinary height, Robert had to use leg braces and a walking stick. It was ultimately a septic blister on his right ankle caused by a brace, which had been poorly fitted only a week earlier, which caused his early death (Robert Wadlow died at 1:30 a.m. on 15 July 1940 in a hotel in Manistee, Michigan).

Robert Wadlow was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Alton, in an enormous coffin measuring 3.28 m (10 ft. 9 in) long, 81 cm (32 in) wide and 76 cm (30 in) deep.

Post Written By - Manash Hazarika