Robert Pershing Wadlow was born on February 22, 1918, in Alton, Illinois. At birth, he weighed a perfectly average 8.7 pounds—nothing out of the ordinary. No one had any idea their Robert would grow into the tallest man the world has ever known.
Like any other child, Wadlow grew—but at an extraordinary rate. By six months old, he weighed 30 pounds, nearly double the average for his age. By his first birthday, he was 3 feet, 3.5 inches tall, and weighed 45 pounds. His rapid growth continued throughout his childhood, reaching a height of 5 feet, 4 inches by age 5—already towering over many adults.
At 8 years old, Wadlow surpassed his own father, who stood at 5 feet, 11 inches. By age 13, he had grown to 7 feet, 4 inches, becoming the tallest Boy Scout in history. When he graduated high school, he measured an astonishing 8 feet, 4 inches.
Doctors diagnosed Wadlow with hyperplasia of the pituitary gland, a condition that caused an excessive production of human growth hormone.
Without modern medical treatments to regulate his growth, he continued to get taller throughout his life, ultimately reaching a record-breaking height of 8 feet, 11.1 inches.
Despite his towering stature, Wadlow was known for his kind and humble nature. His family tried to provide him with a normal life, with custom-made desks at school and expectations to participate in activities like those of his younger siblings.
He enjoyed stamp collecting, photography, and even played the guitar—until his hands grew too large to manage the instrument.
Wadlow became famous as he toured with the Ringling Brothers Circus and later as a spokesman for Peters Shoe Company, which provided him with specially made size 37AA shoes. He traveled across 41 states, making over 800 public appearances and capturing the hearts of people everywhere.
Being nearly 9 feet tall wasn’t easy. Wadlow required leg braces to walk due to a lack of sensation in his legs and feet. His father even had to modify the family car so he could fit inside. Despite these challenges, he refused to use a wheelchair, determined to walk on his own.
Sadly, Wadlow's leg braces contributed to his untimely passing. While making a public appearance in Michigan in 1940, a poorly fitted brace caused a blister on his ankle. The wound became infected, and despite emergency medical treatment, Wadlow passed away on July 15, 1940, at just 22 years old.
Wadlow’s funeral was attended by thousands. Believe It or Not!, Wadlow's casket measured over 10 feet long and weighed 1,000 pounds! In total, it required 18 pallbearers.
Wadlow's legacy lives on! A life-size bronze statue stands in his hometown of Alton, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! attractions around the world feature exhibits dedicated to the tallest man who ever lived.
While no one has surpassed Wadlow’s record, the tallest living man today is Sultan Kösen of Turkey. Born in 1982, Kösen stands at 8 feet, 2.8 inches (251 cm). Like Wadlow, his extraordinary height is caused by an overactive pituitary gland.
In 2022, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! even threw Kösen a birthday bash!
Would you measure up to Robert Wadlow? Find a Ripley’s Believe It or Not! near you to stand beside his towering likeness and see for yourself!
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