Top 10 List Of The Tallest Men In The World

Tallest Men In The World: Most countries use the metric system to measure height (in centimetres and metres), but Liberia, Myanmar, and the United States still use feet and inches, also called the imperial system. In this article, we’ll show the heights of the tallest men in the world using both systems, so everyone can follow along.

Some people grow much taller than average because of medical conditions like gigantism or acromegaly, which cause the body to produce too much growth hormone. These rare cases have led to some of the tallest people ever recorded.

Here are the top 10 tallest men in history, based on real medical records and trusted sources.

List of the Tallest Men in the World

1. Robert Wadlow (USA)

• Robert Wadlow holds the title of the tallest man ever recorded in history.
  
• He grew to an incredible height of 8 ft 11.1 in (272 cm), which was due to a condition called gigantism, caused by an overactive pituitary gland.
  
• Wadlow passed away at the age of 22 after suffering from an infection in his leg caused by a brace he wore to help with his mobility.
  
• His extraordinary height made him a global sensation, with people from around the world coming to see him during his tours.
  
• Despite his towering size, Wadlow was known for his gentle nature and kind personality, earning him the nickname The Gentle Giant.
  
• Today, a life-sized statue of Wadlow stands in his hometown of Alton, Illinois, commemorating his legacy.
  

  2. Sultan Kosen (Turkey)

• Sultan Kosen is currently the tallest living man, holding the record for the tallest living human.
  
• He measures 8 ft 2.8 in (251 cm) in height, and like Robert Wadlow, his condition was caused by a tumour affecting his pituitary gland.
  
• Kosen's height continued to increase well into his adulthood, a phenomenon caused by an overproduction of growth hormone.
  
• Despite undergoing treatments to stop his growth, Kösen's height still makes him a subject of interest around the world, frequently appearing in media interviews.
  
• He also made history by being the first person to be measured by the Guinness World Records at such an extraordinary height after undergoing medical treatment to stop his growth.
  
• Despite his size, Kösen lives a relatively normal life, though he relies on crutches to help with mobility.
  

  3. Vaino Myllyrinne (Finland)

• Vaino Myllyrinne is remembered as the tallest soldier ever recorded.
  
• Standing at a height of 8 ft 1.64 in (248 cm), Myllyrinne's size was a result of a pituitary disorder.
  
• He became well-known in Finland and abroad, gaining attention as a circus performer and later working as a wrestler due to his immense strength.
  
• Myllyrinne served in the Finnish army, where he was celebrated for both his height and his strength.
  
• Despite his towering stature, Myllyrinne was known for his good humour and charm, which made him a popular figure wherever he went.
  
• He passed away at the age of 54, but his legacy as a giant of strength and stature continues to live on in Finland’s history.
  

4. Leonid Stadnyk (Ukraine)

• Leonid Stadnyk, originally from Ukraine, claimed to be 8 ft (244 cm) tall, though Guinness World Records did not officially measure him.
  
• His extraordinary height was caused by a tumour in his pituitary gland, which led to continuous growth throughout his life.
  
• Stadnyk’s height was never officially confirmed by Guinness, as he refused to allow them to measure him.
  
• Despite his reluctance to become part of the official record books, Stadnyk was widely known and regarded as one of the tallest men in the world.
  
• He chose to live a more private life and kept out of the spotlight, even though he could have easily capitalised on his fame.
  
• Stadnyk passed away at the age of 44, but his life remains an example of how gigantism can impact an individual in both physical and personal ways.
  

5. Vikas Kumar Uppal (India)

• Vikas Kumar Uppal was recognised as India’s tallest man, standing at an impressive height of 8 ft 2 in (249 cm).
  
• His size was caused by a medical condition similar to gigantism, which caused his bones to grow abnormally.
  
• Vikas rose to fame when his height gained national attention and he even appeared in the Bollywood film Rang De Basanti, where he was portrayed as a giant.
  
• His extraordinary height, however, also came with health complications, which ultimately led to his untimely death at the age of 21.
  

6. Edward Beaupre (Canada)

• Edward Beaupre was a Canadian circus performer and strongman who stood at 8 ft 3 in (251 cm).
  
• His extraordinary size and strength made him a popular attraction in the circus, where he performed feats of strength alongside other giant performers.
  
• Beaupre’s height and strength were largely due to acromegaly, a condition that caused abnormal growth.
  
• Despite his size, Beaupre lived a relatively short life, passing away at 23 from tuberculosis, which was a common cause of death at the time.
  
• His legacy as one of the greatest strongmen of his era continues to inspire strength athletes today.

7. Gabriel Estevao Monjane (Mozambique)

• Gabriel Estevao Monjane, born in Mozambique, reached an astonishing height of 8 ft 0.75 in (245 cm), making him one of the tallest men ever recorded in Africa.

• His exceptional height was a result of gigantism, a rare condition often caused by an overproduction of growth hormone during childhood.

• Despite the challenges that came with his size, Monjane became known in his country and beyond, even working with a circus during his youth, where his height drew global attention.

• He experienced various health issues, particularly related to mobility, and needed assistance to move around later in life.

• Monjane was officially recognised by the Guinness World Records in 1988 as the tallest living man at the time.

• He passed away in 1990 at the age of 46, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most notable figures in the history of human height.

8. John Rogan (USA)

• John Rogan, who was born in the United States, reached a height of 8 ft 9 in (267 cm), making him one of the tallest men ever.
  
• His towering stature was caused by acromegaly, a condition that caused his bones and tissues to grow uncontrollably.
  
• Despite his immense height, he lived a difficult life due to his condition, suffering from mobility issues and health complications.
  
• Rogan spent much of his life in a wheelchair. His story remains one of the most remarkable in the history of gigantism.
  
• He became a public figure in the late 19th century, known for his gentle personality and unique place in American history.
  
• Rogan passed away at the age of 37 but remains an enduring figure in the history of extreme height.
  

9.  Ri Myung-hun (North Korea)

• Ri Myung-hun is the tallest basketball player from North Korea, standing at 7 ft 8.5 in (235 cm).
  
• He is known for his skills on the basketball court, and his height made him a natural in the sport.
  
• Despite political and social restrictions in North Korea. Ri gained recognition for his athletic ability, especially in basketball.
  
• His height, combined with his talent, earned him admiration both within his home country and from those who studied basketball in North Korea.
  
• Ri’s story is one of overcoming challenges. He was able to use his height to excel in basketball despite the limitations of his environment.

10. Franz Winkelmeier (Austria)

• Franz Winkelmeier, who stood at 7 ft 6 in (228 cm), was an Austrian giant who captured the public’s imagination.
  
• He performed with circuses across Europe in the 19th century, where his enormous size became one of the main attractions.
  
• Winkelmeier’s exceptional height was a result of acromegaly, a disorder that leads to abnormal growth of bones and tissues.
  
• He was often billed as the tallest man in Europe during his circus performances, and his presence was so striking that it made him one of the most well-known figures in the European entertainment industry of the time.
  
• Winkelmeier passed away at the age of 27.
  

Some parts of the world are known for having very tall people. For example, men from the Dinaric Alps region (like Bosnia and Herzegovina) are the tallest on average, at 185.6 cm (6 ft 1.1 in). Also, the Nilotic people of East Africa (in places like South Sudan and Ethiopia) are known for being tall. In one study from 1963, the average Nilotic man was 182.6 cm (6 ft).

These extraordinary men remind us just how varied the human body can be. Though their height brought attention and fame, it also came with many challenges in everyday life. From sports stars to quiet lives away from the spotlight, each story is unique.