Standing at an astounding 8 feet 3 inches, Sultan Kösen is the tallest person in the world. This Turkish farmer was born in 1982 with acromegaly, a condition that results in overgrowth. When Kösen was a child, he was not diagnosed with acromegaly and as a result, his growth was not stunted. Kösen’s height began to attract attention when he was 10 years old and by the time he was 16, he was already 7 feet 4 inches tall. He continued to grow until he reached his current height of 8 feet 3 inches.
Though Kösen is the tallest person in the world, he is not the tallest person ever. That record is held by Robert Wadlow, an American man who stood 8 feet 11 inches tall. Wadlow’s growth can be attributed to gigantism, another condition that results in overgrowth. Gigantism is caused by too much growth hormone being produced during childhood. Wadlow’s excessive height resulted in numerous health complications and he died at the age of 22.
Kösen, on the other hand, has managed to live a relatively normal life despite his extreme height. He is married and has two children. His wife is of average height and his children are of normal stature. Kösen’s family does not have a history of gigantism or acromegaly, which makes his case even more unique.
In addition to being the tallest person in the world, Kösen holds another world record: he has the largest hands of any living person. His hands measure 28.5 centimeters from the tip of his thumb to the tip of his pinky finger. That’s just over 11 inches! Kösen’s large hands make everyday tasks like brushing his teeth and tying his shoes quite difficult. As a result, he relies on assistance from his family and friends for many basic tasks.
Conclusion:
Sultan Kösen is an extraordinary individual who holds two world records: tallest person alive and largest hands of any living person. At 8 feet 3 inches tall, Kösen towers over everyone else on Earth. And with hands measuring 28.5 centimeters from thumb to pinky finger, his hands are larger than most people’s heads! Though life may be difficult for Kösen due to his size, he has still managed to live a relatively normal life thanks to the support of his loved ones.
