The 8-Foot-2.8-Inch Giant: 5 Astonishing Facts About The World's Tallest Living Man, Sultan Kösen

Standing at a staggering height of 251 centimeters (8 feet 2.82 inches), the title of the world's tallest living man belongs to Sultan Kösen. This extraordinary individual, a part-time farmer from Turkey, has held the coveted Guinness World Record since 2009, and as of the current date in December 2025, he remains the undisputed champion. His incredible stature is not just a curiosity; it is the result of a rare and challenging medical condition, yet his story is one of perseverance, medical breakthroughs, and global fame.

The latest update confirms that Kösen continues to secure his title, having recently attended the launch of the 2024 edition of the Guinness World Records, marking his 15th consecutive year as the record holder. His journey from a small village in Turkey to an international celebrity highlights the unique challenges and opportunities that come with being the tallest human being on the planet.

Biography and Key Records of Sultan Kösen

Sultan Kösen’s life is a remarkable series of milestones defined by his exceptional height. His early life was relatively normal until the age of 10, when a tumor on his pituitary gland caused an overproduction of growth hormone, leading to a condition known as pituitary gigantism.

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• Full Name: Sultan Kösen
• Date of Birth: December 10, 1982
• Birthplace: Mardin, Turkey
• Verified Height (Current Record): 251 cm (8 ft 2.82 in)
• Occupation: Part-time farmer
• Date of Official Measurement: February 8, 2011 (in Ankara, Turkey)
• Guinness World Record Title: Tallest Living Man (since 2009)
• Additional World Records: Longest hands on a living person
• Hand Length: 28.5 cm (11.22 in)
• Foot Length: 36.5 cm (14.37 in) (Size 60, US size 28)

Kösen’s growth rate was so rapid that he could no longer attend school and instead began working as a farmer to support his family. His official measurement in 2009 initially placed him at 246.5 cm (8 ft 1 in), but a subsequent measurement in 2011 confirmed his final, towering height of 251 cm.

The Medical Breakthrough That Halted His Growth

The cause of Sultan Kösen's immense height is a condition called pituitary gigantism, which is often followed by acromegaly in adulthood. This condition is caused by a benign tumor on the pituitary gland, an endocrine gland that controls the production of growth hormone (GH).

The Danger of Uncontrolled Growth

Uncontrolled growth is a severe health risk. Excessive growth hormone can lead to numerous health complications, including joint pain, spinal curvature (scoliosis), heart problems, and increased mortality risk. For years, Kösen continued to grow, putting immense strain on his body.

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In 2010, Kösen traveled to the United States to receive specialized treatment at the University of Virginia Medical School. Endocrinologist Mary Lee Vance, MD, led a team that developed a treatment plan to finally stop his growth.

The Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

The groundbreaking solution was Gamma Knife radiosurgery. This non-invasive procedure uses highly focused beams of radiation to target and destroy the pituitary tumor without requiring open brain surgery. The treatment aimed to normalize his growth hormone levels.

In 2012, doctors confirmed that the treatment had been successful. Sultan Kösen had finally stopped growing. This medical intervention was a life-saving measure, ensuring his long-term health and cementing his height at the record-breaking 251 cm.

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The Daily Challenges of Living at 8 Feet 2.8 Inches

While his height has brought him global recognition and the ability to travel the world, Sultan Kösen's daily life is filled with logistical and physical challenges that the average person never considers. These struggles are a common theme for individuals with extreme stature.

• Mobility and Support: Due to the strain on his joints and bones, Kösen requires the use of crutches for walking. His skeletal structure, while massive, struggles to support his immense weight and height.
• Custom Clothing and Footwear: Finding clothes and shoes is virtually impossible. He requires custom-made items, including shoes that are a US size 28 (European size 60). His record-breaking hands also necessitate custom gloves.
• Navigating the World: Standard-sized doorways, low ceilings, car interiors, and public transport are constant obstacles. He frequently has to duck or crouch to avoid hitting his head, a challenge he has often spoken about in interviews.
• Furniture and Beds: Standard beds are far too short, requiring him to sleep on custom-made, extra-long beds. Sitting comfortably in a standard chair can also be difficult.

Despite these difficulties, Kösen has embraced his unique life. He has used his platform to advocate for people with similar medical conditions and has traveled to over 125 countries, sharing his story and meeting other record holders, such as Jyoti Amge, the world's shortest woman.

How Sultan Kösen Compares to the Tallest Man Ever

While Sultan Kösen holds the record for the tallest *living* man, he is not the tallest human being in recorded history. That title belongs to an American giant whose height remains an almost mythical benchmark.

Robert Pershing Wadlow: The Alton Giant

The tallest man to ever live, for whom there is irrefutable evidence, was Robert Pershing Wadlow of the United States. Wadlow, often called the "Alton Giant" or the "Gentle Giant," was born in Alton, Illinois, in 1918.

• Height at Death: 272 cm (8 ft 11.1 in)
• Weight: 199 kg (439 lbs)
• Lifespan: 1918–1940 (Died at age 22)

Like Kösen, Wadlow's extreme height was due to hyperplasia of his pituitary gland. However, Wadlow lived before the advent of modern medical treatments like the Gamma Knife, and his growth never stopped. He continued to grow until his death at the age of 22 from an infection caused by a faulty leg brace.

The nearly nine-inch difference between Wadlow and Kösen underscores the severity of the medical condition in Wadlow's case and highlights the success of the modern treatment that halted Kösen's growth in 2012.

The Legacy of the World's Tallest Men

Sultan Kösen's reign as the tallest living man began when he surpassed the height of the former record holder, Bao Xishun of China, who measured 236.1 cm (7 ft 8.95 in). The lineage of the world's tallest men is a fascinating study in human biology and medical history.

Kösen’s legacy is not just about a measurement; it is about triumph over a life-threatening condition. His story has brought global attention to pituitary disorders and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for gigantism. By sharing his personal struggles—from the need for custom-made size 60 shoes to his reliance on crutches—he has humanized the extraordinary record, proving that even the world’s tallest man is simply a man seeking a normal life.

As the undisputed record holder for the foreseeable future, Sultan Kösen continues to be a symbol of human resilience, a gentle giant whose incredible height is matched only by the size of his worldwide fame.