Robert Wadlow didn't just break records—he shattered them. Standing at 8 feet 11.1 inches, the Illinois native remains the tallest person in recorded human history, a title he's held for over 80 years.

Born in 1918 in Alton, Illinois, Wadlow seemed like any other baby at 8.5 pounds. But by his first birthday, he'd already outgrown most toddlers. By age 8, he was taller than his father. By 13, he became the tallest Boy Scout in history at 7 feet 4 inches.

The Science Behind the Giant

Wadlow's extraordinary growth resulted from hyperplasia of his pituitary gland, which produced abnormally high levels of human growth hormone. Unlike many with similar conditions today, treatment options in the 1920s and 30s were essentially nonexistent.

What made Wadlow's case particularly remarkable: he never stopped growing. Most people with gigantism reach a plateau, but Wadlow continued adding height until the day he died. Doctors estimated he was still growing at a rate of about half an inch per month.

A Gentle Giant

Despite his imposing stature, those who knew Wadlow described him as kind and soft-spoken. He became a celebrity, touring with the Ringling Brothers Circus and later as a spokesperson for the International Shoe Company—a practical partnership, since his shoes required about a pound of leather each and cost $100 (roughly $2,000 today).

His daily life required constant adaptation:

Custom-made furniture in his family home
Leg braces to support his massive frame
A specially modified car he could drive
Consuming an estimated 8,000 calories daily

The physical toll was immense. Wadlow had limited feeling in his feet and legs, which would ultimately contribute to his death.

A Tragic End at 22

In July 1940, a faulty leg brace caused a blister that became infected. By the time doctors intervened, the infection had spread. Robert Wadlow died on July 15, 1940, just 22 years old. His last recorded height: 8 feet 11.1 inches. He weighed 439 pounds.

An estimated 40,000 people attended his funeral in Alton. His family, wary of curiosity seekers, had his body buried in a vault encased in concrete. All his belongings were destroyed to prevent them from becoming sideshow attractions.

Legacy of the Tallest

Today, a life-sized bronze statue of Wadlow stands in Alton, where visitors still come to measure themselves against his remarkable frame. No one has come close to his record since—the current tallest living man, Sultan Kösen of Turkey, stands at 8 feet 2.8 inches.

Medical advances mean that pituitary conditions can now be treated before reaching such extremes. Robert Wadlow's record may stand forever, a testament to both human biological possibility and the gentle young man who carried that impossible weight with grace.

Related Tags