Top 10 Tallest Men in the World
Throughout history, exceptionally tall individuals have fascinated the world, often standing as living wonders due to their extraordinary height.
From record-holding giants to towering figures from various cultures, the tallest men have captured global attention with their unique physical stature.
In this list, we spotlight the top 10 tallest men in the world—both living and historical—whose remarkable heights continue to amaze, inspire curiosity, and shed light on the rare medical and genetic conditions behind such growth.
| Rank | Name | Height (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Franz Winkelmeier | 228 |
| 9 | Ri Myung-hun | 235 |
| 8 | Leonid Stadnyk | 244 |
| 7 | Gabriel Estevao Monjane | 245 |
| 6 | Vaino Myllyrinne | 248 |
| 5 | Vikas Kumar Uppal | 249 |
| 4 | Edward Beaupre | 251 |
| 3 | Sultan Kosen | 251 |
| 2 | John Rogan | 267 |
| 1 | Robert Wadlow | 272 |
10. Franz Winkelmeier
Franz Winkelmeier, born in Austria on April 27, 1860, was known as "The Giant of Friedburg-Lengau" and grew to approximately 7 ft 6 in (228 cm) tall. Unlike many giants, Winkelmeier experienced normal growth until age 14, when he began growing at an extraordinary rate.
Winkelmeier made his first public appearance as a curiosity in 1881 and subsequently toured throughout Europe, appearing in theaters across Austria, Germany, and other countries. In 1887, he was even presented to Queen Victoria of England.
Despite his fame, Winkelmeier's life followed the tragically short pattern common among extremely tall individuals, as he died of tuberculosis on August 24, 1887, at just 27 years of age.
9. Ri Myung-hun
Standing 7 feet 8.5 inches (235 cm) tall, Ri Myung-hun became North Korea's most famous basketball player. His exceptional height made him a potential NBA prospect, though geopolitical tensions prevented him from pursuing opportunities in the American league.
Despite these limitations, Ri excelled in the North Korean national basketball team, demonstrating remarkable athletic ability that challenged stereotypes about the physical capabilities of extremely tall individuals.
8. Leonid Stadnyk
Ukraine's Leonid Stadnyk claimed a height of 8 feet (244 cm), though controversy surrounds his measurements as he refused official Guinness World Records verification.
Born in 1971, Stadnyk worked as a veterinarian before a brain operation reportedly triggered his extraordinary growth.
Despite initial recognition, Guinness World Records eventually removed Stadnyk from their records due to his refusal to be officially measured under their protocols.
He lived until age 44, when health complications common among those with extreme height led to his passing in 2014.
7. Gabriel Estêvão Monjane
Standing 8 feet 0.75 inches (245 cm) tall, Gabriel Estêvão Monjane became the tallest person ever recorded from Africa.
Born in Mozambique, Monjane's exceptional height resulted from gigantism caused by an overproduction of growth hormone.
Like many individuals with similar conditions, Monjane faced significant health challenges throughout his life, though specific details about his life remain less documented than some of the other individuals on this list.
6. Väinö Myllyrinne
Finland's Väinö Myllyrinne stands out among the world's tallest people for his longevity, living to 54 years of age despite reaching 8 feet 1.64 inches (248 cm).
Born in 1909, Myllyrinne served in the Finnish Defence Forces, earning the distinction of being the tallest soldier in recorded military history.
After his military service, Myllyrinne found success as a circus performer and wrestler, demonstrating remarkable physical capabilities despite his extreme height.
His relatively long life compared to other extremely tall individuals suggests he may have managed the associated health complications more effectively.
5. Vikas Kumar Uppal
India's Vikas Kumar Uppal reached 8 feet 2 inches (249 cm) tall, making him one of the tallest men in Asian history.
His height brought him attention from Bollywood, where he made several appearances in films, leveraging his extraordinary stature for entertainment purposes.
Uppal's premature death at age 21 followed the pattern of many extremely tall individuals, underscoring the medical challenges associated with gigantism and the cardiovascular strain it places on the human body.
4. Edward Beaupré
Canadian-born Edward Beaupré reached a height of 8 feet 3 inches (251 cm) and became known as the "Willow Giant" due to his slender frame.
Born in 1881, Beaupré initially worked as a cowboy before his extraordinary height led him to circus performances, where he demonstrated remarkable feats of strength.
Tragically, Beaupré's life ended at just 23 years of age when he contracted tuberculosis while performing.
His story highlights the exploitation often faced by individuals with unusual physical characteristics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
3. Sultan Kösen
Standing at 8 feet 2.8 inches (251 cm), Turkey's Sultan Kösen currently holds the Guinness World Record as the tallest living person.
Born in 1982, Kösen's exceptional height resulted from a tumor affecting his pituitary gland, which was successfully treated in 2010 through gamma knife surgery at the University of Virginia Medical School.
Unlike many extremely tall individuals throughout history, Kösen has enjoyed relatively good health following his treatment, allowing him to work as a farmer and become a cultural ambassador for Turkey. His story represents the advances in modern medicine that now offer hope for those with similar conditions.
2. John Rogan
John Rogan, another American, reached 8 feet 9 inches (267 cm) tall, making him the second tallest person in recorded history.
Born in 1868, Rogan's growth accelerated dramatically during his teenage years due to ankylosis spondylitis, a condition that eventually left him unable to walk.
Despite severe mobility issues that confined him to a wheelchair in his later years, Rogan displayed remarkable entrepreneurial spirit, creating handcrafted items and postcards to support himself financially.
His perseverance in the face of physical challenges remains an inspiring aspect of his legacy until his death in 1905.
1. Robert Wadlow
Robert Wadlow of the USA stands as the tallest human being ever reliably recorded in medical history. Reaching an astonishing height of 8 feet 11.1 inches (272 cm).
Wadlow earned the title "Gentle Giant" due to his kind demeanor despite his physical challenges.
Born in 1918, Wadlow's extraordinary growth resulted from hyperplasia of his pituitary gland, causing excessive production of human growth hormone.
Despite his celebrity status, Wadlow's life was tragically short. He died in 1940 at just 22 years of age from complications following an infected blister caused by a poorly fitted ankle brace—a somber reminder of the health complications that often accompany extreme height.
Famous Appearances
Robert Wadlow (USA)
- Known as the "Alton Giant," Wadlow toured with Ringling Brothers Circus and appeared in public exhibitions sponsored by the International Shoe Company, which made his custom 37AA shoes.
Edward Beaupré (Canada)
- Worked as a strongman and circus performer. He once lifted a 900-pound horse and performed in Barnum and Bailey’s Circus.
Gabriel Monjane (Mozambique)
- Toured Europe and South America with a circus. His fame helped bring awareness to gigantism in Africa.
Vikas Kumar Uppal (India)
- Briefly appeared in Bollywood and local Indian media before his untimely death.
Franz Winkelmeier (Austria)
- A 19th-century celebrity who performed across Europe as “The Giant of Friedburg.”
Guinness World Records Mentions
Robert Wadlow
- Officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the tallest man in history.
Sultan Kösen (Turkey)
- Currently holds the title of the tallest living man, according to Guinness. Also holds the record for largest hands.
Gabriel Monjane
- Recognized by Guinness as the tallest living man until his death in 1990.
Leonid Stadnyk (Ukraine)
- Claimed to be 8 ft, but refused to be officially measured by Guinness, so he wasn’t certified.
Challenges Faced
Robert Wadlow
- Required leg braces and a walking stick due to weak legs. Died from a blister caused by an ill-fitting brace.
John Rogan
- Suffered from ankylosis (fusion of joints) and could not stand or walk; used a goat cart for mobility.
Edward Beaupré
- Lived with health issues caused by his height and died at only 23 of tuberculosis.
Sultan Kösen
- Uses crutches to walk and had to undergo treatment to stop further growth.
Vaino Myllyrinne
- Suffered from acromegaly and faced joint pain and limited agility.
