Robert Pershing Wadlow, born on February 22, 1918, in Alton, Illinois, was the tallest person in recorded history. Standing at an astounding 8 feet 11.1 inches (2.72 meters), he earned nicknames like “Alton Giant” and “Giant of Illinois.” Despite his great size, Wadlow remained remarkably strong until his untimely death at age 22. His remarkable height was attributed to hypertrophy of his pituitary gland, leading to an abnormally high level of human growth hormone. Tragically, a septic blister caused by a poorly-fitted iron brace led to his demise on July 15, 1940.
Robert Wadlow, also held several remarkable records:
Largest hands ever: His hands measured exceptionally large.
Tallest teenager ever (male): By age 17, he stood at 2.45 meters (8 feet 0.5 inches), making him the tallest teenager on record.
Tallest man ever in the United States: Robert’s towering height earned him this distinction.
Largest feet ever: His feet were a whopping 47 centimeters long, equivalent to a US size 37AA12.
