How tall is John Fetterman? Pennsylvania politician stands as tallest member of current US Senate
| Full Name | John Karl Fetterman |
| Date of Birth | 15 August, 1969 |
| Age | 54 (as of 2023) |
| Place of Birth | West Reading, Pennsylvania |
| Height | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) approx |
| Weight | 125 kg (276 lbs) approx |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Party | Democratic Party |
| Wife | Gisele Barreto Fetterman (m. 2008) |
| Children | 3 - Grace Fetterman, Karl Fetterman, August Fetterman |
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA: John Karl Fetterman, the Pennsylvanian Senator, stands at an impressive height of 6 ft 8 in (203 cm), making him the tallest member of the current US Senate, as per Britannica.
A member of the Democratic Party, John was elected to the US Senate in 2022, subsequently representing the state of Pennsylvania the following year as he joined the office on January 3.
Prior to his role as a senator, John had made his mark as the 34th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania from 2019 to 2023. He has also been the mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania, between 2006 and 2019.
Apart from his political career, what intrigues most people is John Fetterman's exceptional height, which adds to his distinctive persona and sets him apart in the world of politics.
Who is currently the tallest politician in the US?
While John Fetterman's height is indeed impressive, he is not the tallest politician in the US. The title of the tallest politician belongs to North Dakota's Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread, who stands at an astonishing 6 ft 10 in (210.7 cm).
Godfread's record was officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records in Bismarck, North Dakota, on October 4, 2019. John Fetterman falls short by two inches compared to the height of Godfread.
John Fetterman's unconventional campaign for 2022 US Senate elections
In October 2020, the political landscape of Pennsylvania took an interesting turn when Republican Pat Toomey, the junior US senator from the state, announced his decision to not seek reelection in 2022, paving the way for John Fetterman, who entered the race as a candidate to succeed Toomey.
Fetterman quickly gained popularity on the campaign trail due to his unique appearance and perspective. Acknowledging that he didn't fit the mold of a typical politician, John's exceptional height, shaved head, tattoos, and signature hooded sweatshirt made him a distinctive and memorable figure.
However, the politician's campaign was not only about his appearance but also about his advocacy for policies aimed at benefiting the working class.
He voiced his support for raising the minimum wage and championing organized labor, underscoring his commitment to addressing the needs and concerns of everyday citizens.
How did Gisele Barreto Fetterman meet John Fetterman?
Gisele Barreto Fetterman's connection with John Fetterman is a tale that exemplifies the power of communication. She first reached out to John by writing a letter inquiring about the town of Braddock and the ongoing efforts to revitalize the community.
The initial interaction set the stage for a deeper connection between the two individuals, and they took their relationship to the next level by getting married in 2018. The couple's journey has continued in Braddock, where they have been residing for over a decade.
Gisele and John share three children — Karl, Gracie, and August—along with a beloved rescue dog named Levi.
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Interestingly, Gisele Barreto Fetterman has a height of 5 ft 9 in (175.2), which she confirmed through a post on X (formerly Twitter), making her around 10 inches shorter than John Fetterman.
Guys I’m actually 5’9” lol, João just makes everyone look super short. 🫠
— Gisele Barreto Fetterman (@giselefetterman) November 19, 2022
Did John Fetterman ever graduate from college?
John Fetterman's life story extends beyond politics, encompassing an impressive academic journey. Born to Karl Fetterman, who worked in the insurance sector, and Susan Fetterman, John grew up in an upper-middle-class suburban environment in Pennsylvania.
His educational pursuits led him to Albright College, where he studied Business Administration. He excelled both on the college football field as an offensive lineman and as a student leader, twice serving as class president.
He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in 1991 and went on to earn a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut in 1993.
Furthering his academic pursuits, John pursued additional graduate studies at Harvard University, earning a Master's degree in Public Policy in 1999.
What happened to John Fetterman in 2022?
In May 2022, just before the Senate primary, John Fetterman suffered a stroke that led to hospitalization. Despite this setback, he remained in the race and secured a landslide victory in the Democratic primary. However, the challenges posed by his stroke were evident as he navigated lingering auditory processing issues.
A closely watched race between John and Republican nominee Mehmet Oz followed during the elections in Pennsylvania. As the effects of the stroke were noticeable during a televised debate, people were quick to question his fitness for office.
Regardless, John insisted he was recovering and said, "I keep getting better and better, and I’m living a perfectly normal life," in September 2022, as per The New York Times.
He eventually clinched the election with slightly over 50% of the vote, officially taking office on January 3, making him the first Democrat to win the Pennsylvanian seat since 1962.
How did John Fetterman lose weight?
John Fetterman's physical transformation and weight loss journey are emblematic of his determination and discipline. During his campaign for Lieutenant Governor, Fetterman's weight loss did not go unnoticed by the public.
His shift toward healthier habits and self-control over his thoughts marked the turning point in his weight loss journey.
John's weight loss regimen centered around a fundamental principle — eliminating sugar and grains from his diet. This shift away from fast food, chips, and sugary beverages played a pivotal role in his transformation.
While traversing Pennsylvania during his campaign, John replaced his previous eating habits with nourishing options like hard-boiled eggs and bottled water. In addition to dietary changes, he embraced a more active lifestyle, often walking several miles a day, as per The TV Junkies.
John Fetterman: From mayor to US Senate
John Fetterman's height, public perception and its impact on his health
At 6 ft 8 inches, Fetterman is undoubtedly one of the tallest men ever to walk inside the Capitol. While his commanding height demands an authoritative presence, it has also led to a debilitating condition.
In a report by The Philadelphia Inquirer, it has been discussed that Fetterman's tall height is one of the causes of his 2022 stroke.
The news outlet co-related Fetterman's height with the higher risk of suffering from irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (A-fib).
The heart condition, which is facilitated by one's tall height, in turn, results in a stroke similar to the one suffered by Fetterman in May 2022.
John Fetterman's journey to becoming the Mayor
Fetterman remained as the Mayor of Braddock for an impressive tenure starting in 2006. He held the position till 2019 when he was elected as the lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.
Fetterman ran in the mayoral election in 2005 against the incumbent candidate Pauline Abdullah. However, he won the Democratic primary dramatically by just one vote. He won the general election without a Republican opponent.
Fetterman won all the elections in 2017 until he announced in November 2017 that he would run for lieutenant governor.
Election moments and achievements
Fetterman won the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor with 38 per cent of the vote in May 2018. He along with incumbent governor Tom Wolf went on to defeat the Republicans Scott Wagner and Jeff Bartos in the general election.
He was sworn into the office of lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania on January 15, 2019, where he replaced Mike Stack. While the position of lieutenant governor holds substantially less power than the governor, the post nevertheless oversees the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Fetterman ran the board "with the heart of an activist and, at times, the force of a bully."
Supporting the LGBTQ+ community
John Fetterman has always been vocal about his support for the legalization of marijuana and the LGBTQ+ community.
To show his unwavering support for the causes, he has also hung a pride flag and a flag with marijuana leaves from his office balcony, overlooking State Capitol.
John Fetterman's health struggles
John Fetterman's health has long remained a matter of anxiety for his followers.
Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed Military Medical Center on February 16, 2023, after a long struggle with depression.
He spent more than a month in the facility before he was discharged on March 31.
In an interview with CBS Sunday, he chronicled his struggle with depression before checking into the mental health facility and recounted, “I had stopped leaving my bed.”
Fetterman added, “I had stopped eating. I was dropping weight. I had stopped engaging some of the most — things that I love in my life.”
Claiming that he went into a "downward spiral," he added, "depression can absolutely convince you that you actually lost," while in reality, he won the competitive mid-term election against Dr Oz.
After a successful treatment in Walter Reed, he came out and said, “For now, I want everyone to know that depression is treatable, and treatment works,” before adding, “This isn’t about politics. Right now there are people who are suffering with depression in red counties and blue counties. If you need help, please get help,” per The New York Times.
He was first diagnosed with "atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm, along with a decreased heart pump" in 2017. But it wasn't known to the public until his debilitating stroke in May 2022.
On May 13, 2022, Fetterman was hospitalized owing to an ischemic stroke which was caused by a clot due to atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm). He went through surgery where a pacemaker and defibrillator were implanted.
After spending nine days in the hospital, he was discharged on May 22, 2022.
John Fetterman's contributions to pop culture
Though John Fetterman is predominantly known for his political stances and eclectic sartorial choices, Fetterman has a considerable presence in the arena of pop culture as well.
Fetterman had a cameo appearance in the 2022 Scott Cooper directorial film 'The Pale Blue Eye' starring Christian Bale.
He collaborated with Cooper and Bale in 2013 as well when the duo filmed their film 'Out of the Furnace' in Braddock.
John Fetterman's net worth
John Fetterman's net worth is estimated to be about $800,000, per Celebrity Net Worth. He draws his annual salary of $217,610 from the state government for his post in the Senate.
As per his May 2021 financial disclosure, he has total assets between $717,000 and $1.58 million - the majority of which (between $450,000 and $1 million) are in trusts and bank accounts for his children.
John Fetterman and the Senate dress code drama
During an interview with CNN, John Fetterman shared that he dresses in casual clothes solely because of "comfort." Other than that, he also added that it is very difficult for him to find suits owing to his large size.
However, he often drew criticism from many of his colleagues in the Senate for his casual dress code which mostly includes athleisure wear including shorts and hoodies.
Most of the Republican Senators and at least one Democratic Senator criticized Fetterman with the Republican Senator from Maine Susan Collins joking she might wear a bikini “because there’s no dress code anymore," before saying immediately not that she would, per CNN.
In September 2023, nevertheless, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stopped enforcing the unwritten rule of men wearing business formal attire to the Senate floor.
Naturally, this caused an uproar in Capitol Hill with the Senate passing a resolution for formalizing business attire as the proper dress code for the Senate floor within a few days.
After the bill was passed, Schumer said in a statement, “Though we’ve never had an official dress code, the events over the past week have made us all feel as though formalizing one is the right path forward,” before adding, “I deeply appreciate Senator Fetterman working with me to come to an agreement that we all find acceptable, and of course I appreciate Senator Manchin and Sen Romney’s leadership on this issue.”
Fetterman also shared that he would be maintaining the formal dress code whenever he is presiding over the Senate floor, per CNN.
John Fetterman’s take on criminal justice reform
John Fetterman has a very interesting approach toward criminal justice reform as he is a man who has boldly stated that he is a believer in "the power of a second chance" and has fought for softening the "too often unforgiving and vindictive justice system."
On his campaign website, he has also written that he "will work to make sure that serious crimes receive serious punishment, while also alleviating the burdens placed on prosecutors and judges by focusing on effective diversion programs for nonviolent offenders and prioritizing sentencing reform."
Does John Fetterman have a body double?
The conspiracy theory of the real John Fetterman hiding somewhere and employing a body double came to the fore after he had a stroke in May 2022.
After the stroke, several people started noticing small details about the Senator as his improved speech style and altered facial hair.
However, Fetterman addressed the controversy sportingly and joked about the rumors saying they are true. He, in fact, also referred to a 'Simpsons' character who looks like Homer and said, “I’m Senator Guy Incognito,” per MSNBC.
Adding fuel to the joke, he was also selling a T-shirt on his campaign website with the words, “John Fetterman’s Body Double.”
From all his humorous addresses on the issue, it can safely be concluded that there is no body double for John Fetterman.
Where does John Fetterman live?
John Fetterman continues to live in Braddock, Pennsylvania with his wife and three children, instead of taking up the official residence at Fort Indiantown Gap.
Why does John Fetterman cover his neck?
In 2022, Fox News journalist Tucker Carlson opined that John Fetterman appeared to cover his neck to conceal the bump that was in his neck.
But Daily Wire noted at the beginning of 2023 that the bump of Fetterman's neck has disappeared.
Why does John Fetterman not wear a suit?
During an interview with CNN, John Fetterman dished out his reason for not wearing a suit, and it is "comfort." Referring to his tall frame, Fetterman further shared that "It is difficult to find suits" that will fit him.
What is John Fetterman's real name?
John Fetterman was born John Karl Fetterman.
How old is John Fetterman and his wife?
Born on August 15, 1969, John Fetterman is 54 years old. His wife, Gisele Barreto Fetterman, on the other hand, is aged 41 and her date of birth is February 27, 1982.