Ever wondered who the tallest Man in the world is? You’re not alone. People are often amazed by extreme height — and there are some record-breaking humans who are truly massive!
Who Is the Tallest Man in the World Right Now (2025)?
Sultan Kösen from Turkey is currently the tallest living man in the world.
- Height: 8 feet 2.8 inches (251 cm)
- Born: December 10, 1982
- Country: Turkey
- Recognized by: Guinness World Records
Sultan Kösen has held the record since 2009. His massive height is due to a medical condition called pituitary gigantism, which caused his body to produce too much growth hormone.
Who Was the Tallest Person in History?
Robert Wadlow – also known as the “Alton Giant” – is the tallest human ever recorded.
- Height: 8 feet 11.1 inches (272 cm)
- Born: February 22, 1918 (USA)
- Died: July 15, 1940 (aged 22)
- Country: United States
Robert Wadlow suffered from hyperplasia of the pituitary gland, which led to his extreme height. Sadly, his condition also caused health problems, and he passed away at a young age.
Tallest humans Ever in History
| Name | Height | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Wadlow | 8 ft 11.1 in (2.72 m) | Tallest human ever recorded. Known as the “Alton Giant”. Died in 1940. |
| John Rogan | 8 ft 9 in (2.67 m) | Second-tallest verified person. Lived in the U.S., suffered from ankylosis. |
| John F. Carroll | 8 ft 7.75 in (2.64 m) | Had extreme spinal curvature. Grew rapidly due to acromegalic gigantism. |
| Leonid Stadnyk | 8 ft 5 in (2.57 m)* | Claimed height; never verified by Guinness. From Ukraine. |
| Trijntje Cornelisdochter Keever | 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) | Tallest woman ever. Dutch girl who died at age 17 in the 1600s. |
| Väinö Myllyrinne | 8 ft 1 in (2.47 m) | Finnish soldier and wrestler. Tallest person during his lifetime (1940s). |
| Edouard Beaupré | 8 ft 2.5 in (2.50 m) | Canadian circus performer and wrestler. Died at 23. |
| Sandy Allen | 7 ft 7.25 in (2.32 m) | Tallest woman of modern time. American, known for advocacy work. |
| Yao Defen | 7 ft 8 in (2.33 m) | Verified tallest living woman before she died in 2012. From China. |
| Sultan Kösen | 8 ft 2.8 in (2.51 m) | Tallest living man (as of 2025). From Turkey. Still alive. |
| Zeng Jinlian | 8 ft 1.75 in (2.48 m) | Tallest woman of modern history. From China, died in 1982. |
| Don Koehler | 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) | Tallest in U.S. during his time. Had a twin sister of average height. |
| Shaquille O’Neal | 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) | Famous NBA player, not among the tallest ever, but known worldwide. |
| Brahim Takioullah | 8 ft 1 in (2.46 m) | Moroccan man with the largest feet in the world. Verified tall height. |
| Radhouane Charbib | 7 ft 8.87 in (2.36 m) | Former Guinness record holder before Sultan Kösen. From Tunisia. |
| Igor Vovkovinskiy | 7 ft 8 in (2.34 m) | Ukrainian-American. Known for wearing custom shoes. Died in 2021. |
| Morteza Mehrzad | 8 ft 1 in (2.46 m) | Tallest man in Iran. Paralympic sitting volleyball gold medalist. |
Tallest People in the World
| Name | Height (Feet/Inches) | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Wadlow | 8 ft 11.1 in | USA |
| Sultan Kösen | 8 ft 2.8 in | Turkey |
| Brahim Takioullah | 8 ft 1 in | Morocco |
| Morteza Mehrzad | 8 ft 1 in | Iran |
| Zhang Juncai | 7 ft 11.3 in | China |
Most people with extreme height have medical conditions like:
- Gigantism (happens during childhood)
- Acromegaly (growth hormone overproduction after puberty)
- Genetic mutations or tumors on the pituitary gland
These conditions are rare, and treatment is often needed to prevent further complications.
Bonus: Tallest Woman in the World
While men tend to hold the tallest records, the tallest woman alive today is:
- Rumeysa Gelgi (Turkey)
- Height: 7 feet 0.7 inches (215 cm)
She also has a rare condition called Weaver syndrome, which affects bone growth.
Final Thoughts
So, to recap:
- The tallest man alive in 2025 is Sultan Kösen from Turkey.
- The tallest human ever was Robert Wadlow, at nearly 9 feet tall.
- These extreme heights are usually due to rare medical conditions.
These record-breaking individuals continue to inspire and educate the world with their stories!
FAQs
How tall is the tallest man in the world?
Sultan Kösen is 8 feet 2.8 inches tall (251 cm).
Who was the tallest person ever?
Robert Wadlow, who reached 8 feet 11.1 inches before his death in 1940.
Is there anyone taller than Sultan Kösen?
No living person has been verified to be taller than him.
Can someone naturally grow to 8 feet tall?
It’s extremely rare and usually due to medical conditions like gigantism.