The Towering Truth: Who Is The Tallest Person In The World Right Now And The 5 Giants Who Shattered History’s Records

As of late 2025, the undisputed title of the world's tallest living man belongs to Sultan Kösen, a Turkish farmer whose astonishing height measures 8 feet 2.8 inches (251 cm). His life story is a fascinating blend of international fame, medical marvel, and the daily challenges of living in a world built for average-sized people, a narrative that continues to evolve with his recent public appearances, including attending the launch of the 2024 Guinness World Records book and celebrating his 40th birthday. The quest to identify the world's tallest person is a constant source of global curiosity, but the current record holders represent more than just numbers; they are powerful advocates raising awareness for the rare medical conditions that cause their extraordinary stature. This article explores the current record holders, delves into the science behind their growth, and looks back at the historical giants who once held the crown, providing a definitive and up-to-date look at the tallest people on Earth.

Sultan Kösen: The Current Tallest Man and His Biography

Sultan Kösen was born on December 10, 1982, in the city of Mardin in southeastern Turkey. His life changed forever in 2009 when he was officially measured and recognized by Guinness World Records as the tallest living male. Despite his global recognition, Kösen's early life was that of a typical farmer in the Derik district of Mardin. He was unable to complete his schooling due to his size, and instead worked on the family farm. His extreme height is not merely genetic but is the result of a medical condition known as pituitary gigantism and acromegaly. This condition is caused by a benign tumor on his pituitary gland, which resulted in an overproduction of growth hormone (somatotropin).

Sultan Kösen's Biographical Profile

• Full Name: Sultan Kösen
• Current Height: 251 cm (8 ft 2.8 in)
• Date of Birth: 10 December 1982
• Place of Birth: Mardin, Turkey
• Nationality: Turkish
• Occupation: Farmer, Public Figure, Guinness World Record Holder
• Medical Condition: Pituitary Gigantism and Acromegaly
• Record Held Since: 2009
• Notable Achievements: Held the record for the world's largest hands (28.5 cm / 11.22 in) and feet (36.5 cm / 14.4 in) until they were surpassed.
• Current Status: His excessive growth was successfully halted in 2011 following treatment at the University of Virginia Medical Center.

The Medical Marvel: How Sultan Kösen's Growth Was Halted

The constant, uncontrolled growth caused by his pituitary tumor presented significant health challenges for Sultan Kösen. The tumor continued to press on his optic nerve and caused joint pain, requiring him to use crutches for mobility. In a crucial medical breakthrough, Kösen traveled to the University of Virginia Medical Center in 2010 for specialized treatment. Doctors there treated him with a new medication that could control the production of growth hormone. This intensive treatment proved successful, and in 2011, doctors confirmed that Kösen had finally stopped growing. This medical intervention was vital, as continued growth would have placed an unbearable strain on his organs and skeletal system, significantly shortening his lifespan.

The World's Tallest People: A Turkish Phenomenon

In a remarkable coincidence, the two current Guinness World Record holders for the tallest living male and tallest living female are both from Turkey.

Rumeysa Gelgi: The Tallest Living Woman

The title of the tallest living woman belongs to Rumeysa Gelgi, who stands at 7 ft 0.7 in (215.16 cm). Unlike Kösen, Gelgi's extreme height is caused by an entirely different, and much rarer, genetic condition: Weaver Syndrome (WS). Weaver Syndrome is an overgrowth syndrome that causes rapid growth, particularly in the womb and during early childhood. Gelgi, who is also a web developer and public speaker, uses her platform to advocate for awareness of Weaver Syndrome and other rare conditions. She resides in the Karabük province of Turkey and is a powerful symbol of resilience and advocacy. The fact that both record holders, Sultan Kösen and Rumeysa Gelgi, hail from the same country makes Turkey a unique hub for these extraordinary records.

The Historical Giants: The Tallest People Ever Recorded

While Sultan Kösen is the tallest living person today, he is not the tallest person in recorded history. That title belongs to an American man who towered over everyone else.

Robert Wadlow: The Tallest Person in History

The all-time record for the tallest person in history, for whom there is irrefutable evidence, belongs to Robert Pershing Wadlow of the United States.

• Height at Death: 8 ft 11.1 in (272 cm)
• Date of Birth: February 22, 1918
• Date of Death: July 15, 1940 (Age 22)
• Cause of Height: Hypertrophy of the pituitary gland, leading to continuous, uncontrolled growth hormone production.

Wadlow's growth never stopped during his short 22-year life. His constant growth required him to wear custom-made clothing and shoes, and his death was tragically caused by a septic blister on his ankle, which was irritated by a faulty brace. He is often referred to as the Alton Giant.

Other Notable Historical Giants

The history of extreme human height is filled with other astonishing figures who held the world's attention:

• John Rogan (8 ft 9 in / 267 cm): The second-tallest man in recorded history. Born in Tennessee, USA, in the late 1860s, his extreme height was caused by a condition called ankylosis, which fused his joints.
• John F. Carroll (8 ft 7 in / 262 cm): Another American giant, Carroll's height was complicated by severe spinal curvature, making his standing height difficult to measure accurately.
• Trijntje Keever (8 ft 4 in / 254 cm): Often cited as the tallest woman in history, this Dutch woman, born in 1616, remains one of the most remarkable historical giants.

The Science of Extreme Height: Gigantism vs. Weaver Syndrome

The stories of Sultan Kösen and Rumeysa Gelgi highlight the two main categories of conditions that cause extreme height: pituitary disorders and rare genetic syndromes.

Pituitary Gigantism (Sultan Kösen)

Pituitary gigantism is an endocrine disorder that occurs when the pituitary gland produces an excessive amount of growth hormone *before* the growth plates in the bones close.

• Cause: Almost always a non-cancerous tumor (adenoma) on the pituitary gland.
• Effect: Causes overgrowth of the long bones, leading to extreme height and large hands and feet.
• Treatment: Requires surgery, radiation, or medication to stop the overproduction of growth hormone, as seen in Kösen's case.

Weaver Syndrome (Rumeysa Gelgi)

Weaver Syndrome is a rare genetic overgrowth disorder. It is not caused by a pituitary tumor but by a mutation in the EZH2 gene.

• Cause: A specific genetic mutation that leads to accelerated growth and bone maturation.
• Effect: Causes rapid growth starting in the womb, leading to a large birth size and continued accelerated growth in childhood.
• Associated Symptoms: Distinctive facial features, skeletal abnormalities, and joint issues.

The lives of the world's tallest people, past and present, offer a compelling look into the limits of human biology and the incredible resilience required to navigate a world that is simply too small for them. From the medical breakthroughs that saved Sultan Kösen's life to Rumeysa Gelgi's advocacy work, their stories continue to inspire and educate millions worldwide.