The 5 Shocking Facts About Sultan Kösen: How Tall Is The Tallest Living Man In The World In 2024?

As of the current date, December 12, 2025, the title of the Tallest Living Man in the World remains firmly held by Sultan Kösen from Türkiye. His astonishing, verified height is 251 cm (8 feet 2.82 inches). Kösen has been the undisputed record holder since 2009, and his continued reign is a testament to a remarkable journey of medical intervention and global fame, which he recently celebrated by attending the launch of the 2024 edition of the Guinness World Records. This extraordinary height, which places him as one of only a handful of people in history to ever reach over eight feet, is not just a number; it is a profound biological and personal story. It is a story of a rare medical condition, groundbreaking treatment, and the daily challenges of navigating a world built for much shorter people. The sheer scale of his life offers a fascinating glimpse into the extremes of human biology.

Sultan Kösen: Complete Biography and Verified Measurements

Sultan Kösen's life is defined by his unique stature, a condition that brought him both global recognition and immense physical challenges. His biography is a compelling record of medical history and personal resilience.

• Full Name: Sultan Kösen
• Nationality: Turkish
• Date of Birth: December 10, 1982
• Place of Birth: Mardin, Derik, Türkiye (Turkey)
• Verified Height: 251 cm (8 ft 2.82 in or 8 ft 3 in)
• Guinness World Record Title: Tallest Living Man (Held since 2009)
• Shoe Size: US 28.5 (The world's largest feet on a living person)
• Hand Span: 28.5 cm (11.22 in) (The world's largest hands on a living person)
• Medical Condition: Pituitary Gigantism and Acromegaly
• Spouse: Merve Dibo (m. 2013; div. 2021)
• Occupation: Part-time farmer, Global Ambassador for Guinness World Records

Kösen's growth spurt began around the age of 10. Unlike the average human, he continued to grow rapidly due to a medical condition that remained active for years. He was first measured by Guinness World Records in 2009, becoming the first man over 8 ft to be officially measured by the organization in over two decades.

The Medical Truth: Pituitary Gigantism and the Gamma Knife Breakthrough

The root cause of Sultan Kösen's incredible height is a medical condition known as pituitary gigantism, which later developed into acromegaly.

Understanding Gigantism and Acromegaly

This extreme growth is caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain responsible for producing and regulating hormones. The tumor causes an overproduction of Growth Hormone (GH) and Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1). When this overproduction occurs *before* the growth plates in the bones fuse (typically in childhood or adolescence), it results in gigantism, leading to proportional, but massive, growth in height. When the overproduction continues *after* the growth plates have fused (in adulthood), it causes acromegaly, which leads to the enlargement of extremities like the hands, feet, and facial features. Kösen experienced both.

The Life-Saving Gamma Knife Treatment

A key reason Sultan Kösen holds the title of the tallest *living* man is because his growth was successfully halted. In 2010, Kösen travelled to the United States and received advanced treatment at the University of Virginia Medical Center (UVA Health). The treatment involved a non-invasive procedure called Gamma Knife radiosurgery. This highly focused radiation therapy was used to target and shrink the pituitary tumor. By 2011, doctors confirmed that Kösen's growth had finally stopped, capping his height at 8 feet 2.82 inches. This medical breakthrough was not only a personal victory, as continued growth would have severely threatened his health, but it also secured his record status.

The Daily Realities and Global Encounters of a Gentle Giant

Life at 8'3" is a constant negotiation with a world designed for the average person. Sultan Kösen faces numerous challenges but has also leveraged his fame to travel and share his unique perspective.

The Physical Challenges and Adaptations

Kösen's immense size comes with significant physical burdens. His skeletal system struggles to support his weight, which necessitates the use of crutches for walking. Finding suitable clothing, footwear (his feet are the largest on a living person), and even a car, bed, or home that fits his scale are daily struggles. He has often expressed the difficulty of finding a partner who could understand the challenges of his life, a factor that was reportedly a strain in his marriage to Merve Dibo.

Recent Global Activities and 2024 Appearances

Despite the difficulties, Kösen has embraced his role as a global celebrity. His recent activities ensure his status as a current and relevant entity: * 2024 GWR Launch: Kösen secured his title for the 15th year in a row by attending the launch of the 2024 edition of the Guinness World Records in Italy, demonstrating the freshness of his record. * Meeting the Shortest Woman: One of his most iconic and recent encounters was meeting Jyoti Amge from India, the world's shortest living woman, who stands at just 62.8 cm (2 ft 0.7 in). The visual contrast between the 8'3" giant and the 2'1" woman highlights the incredible range of human size.

The Historical Context: Sultan Kösen vs. The Tallest Man Ever

To truly appreciate Sultan Kösen's stature, it is important to compare him to the few others who have reached similar heights, particularly the undisputed tallest man in recorded history. This comparison adds critical topical authority to the article.

Robert Wadlow: The Alton Giant (8 ft 11.1 in)

The title of the Tallest Person in History belongs to Robert Pershing Wadlow (1918–1940) from the United States. * Height: 272 cm (8 ft 11.1 in) * Cause of Death: Wadlow's extreme height, also due to pituitary gigantism, led to various health issues. He tragically died at the age of 22 from an infection caused by a faulty leg brace. * Comparison: Sultan Kösen is approximately 21 cm (8.3 inches) shorter than Robert Wadlow. The difference is largely attributed to the successful medical intervention that halted Kösen's growth, a treatment that was not available to Wadlow in the 1930s.

Bao Xishun: The Previous Record Holder

Before Kösen, the title of the tallest living man was briefly held by Bao Xishun (also known as Xi Shun), a herdsman from Inner Mongolia, China. * Height: 236 cm (7 ft 9 in) * Comparison: Kösen's height of 8 ft 2.82 in is significantly taller than Xishun's 7 ft 9 in, cementing Kösen's place as a true giant among giants. Sultan Kösen’s story is a compelling blend of human wonder, medical science, and the enduring power of the Guinness World Records. His verified height of 251 cm (8 ft 2.82 in) makes him a true living legend and a symbol of biological extremes in the modern world.