How tall was George Washington? First US President was over a foot taller than his wife

George Washington was one of the founding fathers of the United States and the nation's first president

UPDATED OCT 25, 2023

American General George Washington was the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797 (Original Artwork: Engraving by Nathaniel Currier, MPI/Getty Images)

Name	George Washington
Date of Birth	22 February 1732
Place of Birth	Westmoreland County, Virginia, United States
Date of Death	14 December 1799
Height	6 feet 2 inches (188 cm)
Weight	90 kg
Gender	Male
Spouse	Martha Washington
Children	Mary Anna Custis Lee, Maria Carter Syphax, Lucy Harrison
Networth	$429 million

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: George Washington was one of the founding fathers of the United States and the nation's first president. He was 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm or 1.88 m) tall, per POTUS.com.

He was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and he passed away on December 14, 1799, at his Mount Vernon estate in Virginia.

George Washington played a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War and the formation of the United States.

During the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), he served as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, leading the American forces to victory against the British.

His leadership and determination were instrumental in securing American independence from British rule.

After the war, Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, where the United States Constitution was drafted.

He was then unanimously elected as the country's first president and served two terms from 1789 to 1797. As president, he set many important precedents, including the peaceful transition of power, which established the foundation for the American presidency.

George Washington is often referred to as the "Father of his Country" for his pivotal role in shaping the early United States. His leadership, integrity, and commitment to the ideals of liberty and democracy continue to be celebrated and revered in American history.

How tall was First Lady Martha Washington?

Martha Washington, whose maiden name was Martha Dandridge, was the wife of George Washington, the first President of the United States was 5 feet (152 cm or 1.52 m) tall, per Business Insider.

She was the inaugural First Lady of the United States from April 30, 1789, when her husband was made president, until March 4, 1797, when his second term ended.

George Washington at Home, from an old engraving by B.H. Hall, dated 1867. George and Martha Washington with two of her four children by her first marriage, Martha Parke Custis and John Park Custis. The other two died during their infancy. (Bettmann/Getty images) — George Washington and Martha Washington with two of her four children from her first marriage, Martha Parke Custis and John Park Custis, from an old engraving by B H Hall, dated 1867 (Bettmann/Getty Images)

As the first First Lady, Martha Washington played an essential role in shaping the role of the president's spouse, although the title "First Lady" was not used at the time.

She brought great wealth to the Washington family, and her position in society and her support of her husband made her a respected figure during the American Revolutionary War and the early days of the United States.

She was known for her hospitality and her role in entertaining and socializing with dignitaries and politicians. Her gracious presence set many of the early customs and traditions for First Ladies in the United States.

George Washington's height compared to Thomas Jefferson

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, both of whom served as presidents of the United States, were relatively tall for their time, but there was some difference in their heights.

circa 1802: Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826), 3rd President of the United States of America (1801 - 1809, founder of the Democratic Republican Party. He was largely responsible for drawing up the Declaration of Independence. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) — Thomas Jefferson was the 3rd President of the United States of America and the founder of the Democratic-Republican Party (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Washington is estimated to have been around 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall, making him quite tall for the late 18th century.

However, Jefferson was slightly taller, with an estimated height of around 6 feet 2.5 inches (189 cm). So, in terms of height, Washington was a mere half-inch shorter than Jefferson, although both men were considered above average in height for their era.

George Washington's height compared to John Adams

George Washington and John Adams, who was the second president of the United States, had a more significant height difference in comparison.

John Adams (1735 - 1826), the 2nd President of the United States of America (1797 - 1801) and vice-president from 1789 - 1797. He signed the Declaration of Independence and in 1779 went to France and negotiated the treaty that ended the American Revolution. In 1785 he was the first American Ambassador to London. His son, John Quincy Adams was the 6th President of the United States. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) — John Adams was the 2nd President of the United States of America and vice-president from 1789 - 1797 (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

In contrast to President Washington's 6 ft 2-inch stature, Adams was notably shorter, with a height of 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm or 1.7 m). So, in terms of height, Washington was significantly taller than Adams, with a difference of half a foot or 6 inches.

What were the physical characteristics of George Washington?

Standing at a towering height of 6 feet 2 inches, he surpasses the majority of his peers by at least half a foot.

His weight of over 200 lbs or 90 kgs, per Mount Vernon, was evenly distributed across a bony, muscular build that had been toughened by years of outdoor activities and physical challenges.

The balanced proportions of Washington's face were marred by a robust Roman nose and deep eye sockets that held eyes described in different accounts as either blue or gray, and as both dull and piercing, according to archives.gov.