How tall was Robert Wadlow? 'Alton Giant' officially reached 8 feet by age 17
| Full Name | Robert Pershing Wadlow |
| Date of Death | July 15, 1940 |
| Date of Birth | February 22, 1918 |
| Place of Birth | Alton, Illinois |
| Height | 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m) approx |
| Weight | 199 kg (439 lbs) approx |
| Nationality | American |
| Net Worth | $8 million (as of 1940) |
| Marital Status | None |
| Children | None |
ALTON, ILLINOIS: Robert Wadlow, an iconic figure in the journals of human history, towered at a remarkable height of 8 feet 11 inches (2.72 m or 272 cm) and carried a substantial weight of 199 kg (439 lbs) at the time of his passing, as officially recorded by Guinness World Records.
He held the distinction of being the tallest individual ever documented.
Robert Pershing Wadlow, also known as 'Alton Giant' and 'Giant of Illinois' born to average-sized parents, quickly began an extraordinary growth journey, reaching 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 m or 163 cm) by the age of five and towering over his father by age eight.
Undeterred by his size, he joined the Boy Scouts at 13, necessitating custom gear.
At 16, he stood at 7 feet 10 inches (2.40 m or 240 cm), and by 17, he reached 8 feet (2.45 m or 245 cm) becoming the tallest teenager ever, according to Guinness World Records.
After high school, he briefly pursued law but later joined the Ringling Brothers Circus, gaining international fame.
Tragically, at the age of 22, Robert passed away due to a septic blister on his ankle, which was caused by a poorly fitted brace.
His weight had dropped to 199 kg (439 lbs), but his height continued to increase.
His extreme height resulted from a pituitary gland condition, and though doctors identified it, they advised against surgery due to the high risks involved.
Robert Wadlow or Sultan Kosen: Who is taller?
Sultan Kosen, currently recognized as the world's tallest living man by Guinness World Records, measured 8 feet 2.8 inches (2.51 m or 251 cm) during the 2021 recording.
It's noteworthy that Sultan Kosen's height falls 8.3 inches short of Robert Wadlow's towering height.
Hailing from Turkey, Sultan Kosen also holds a part-time occupation as a farmer.
Interestingly, when Robert Wadlow was 18 years old in 1936, his towering height exceeded Sultan Kosen's current measurement, reaching an astonishing 8 feet 3.6 inches (2.53 meters or 253 centimeters) according to Guinness World Records.
Robert Wadlow's height compared to Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal, the retired American professional basketball legend, measures 7 feet 1 inch (2.16 m or 216 cm) according to IMDb. It's important to note that Shaq's impressive height is 22 inches less than Robert Wadlow's height.
Shaquille O'Neal, commonly known as "Shaq," is a former American professional basketball star celebrated for his commanding presence in the NBA.
His exceptional basketball prowess and magnetic personality have made him a legendary figure in the sport's history.
Beyond his basketball career, Shaq has ventured into sports broadcasting and acting, adding to his multifaceted achievements.
Robert Wadlow's height compared to the huge Shaquille O'Neal pic.twitter.com/DHDoD2dL0q
— Woman of Wonder (@WonderW97800751) February 4, 2022