Robert Wadlow is the greatest man of all time, along with 2.72 m measured just before his death in 1940.
Today, the title of the tallest man still alive belongs to a Turkish man Sultan Kösen, which peaks at 2.51 m and holds that record Guinness since 2009.
Who is Robert Wadlow, the giant of Alton?
Robert Pershing Wadlow, nicknamed the Alton Giant, was born on February 22, 1918 at Alton, in the’Illinois in the United States.
He was the first child of Harold and Addie Wadlow, an ordinary American family. At birth, there was no indication of what would become of his body.
His growth began to deviate from the norm very early on. Every month, his father noticed that the child’s clothes no longer fit him. At age 5, he started school with the height of an adult: 1.64 m. As a teenager, he was already several dozen centimeters taller than all his classmates.
Here's how its size has changed over the years:
- À 6 months, it already weighs 13 kg and measure 88 cm.
- À 5 years, it measures 1.64 m and starts school.
- À 13 years old, he becomes the world's greatest Scout with 2.18 m.
- À 19 years old, it reaches 2.54 m and weighs about 222 kg.
- At the time of his death, he was 2.72 m for a weight of 199 kg.
Its proportions are just as impressive. Its The hands measured 32.4 cm and his feet reached a size 75 (about 47 cm).
Making his clothes requires three times the normal amount of fabric. He used about 8,000 kcal per day, which is three to four times the amount an average adult would eat.
Robert Pershing Wadlow was described as a gentle, curious, and endearing teenager, despite his tall stature.
He loved photography, stamp collecting, and animals. His story remains one of the most fascinating in human history.
Find out who the heaviest person ever in our dedicated article.
The size of Robert Wadlow through the ages
To see the full growth chart, here is a summary table of his height and weight by age:
| Age | Cut | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 88 cm | 13 kg |
| 5 years | 1.64 m | 48 kg |
| 13 years old | 2.18 m | 125 kg |
| 19 years old | 2.54 m | 222 kg |
| 22 years old (at the time of death) | 2.72 m | 199 kg |
Its size continued to grow right up until its death. With each new measurement, Robert Wadlow was breaking his own records. His case remains unique in the history of medicine.
What was the reason for the large size of Robert Wadlow ?
The extraordinary size of Robert Wadlow is due to a pituitary gland enlargement. This tumor causes abnormally high levels of growth hormone to be produced. If it occurs before the growth plates close, this overproduction causes a gigantism.
This condition is officially known as the’acromegaly when it occurs in adulthood. In Robert Wadlow, it has resulted in uncontrollable production since childhood. At that time, no effective treatment existed:
- He never received treatment and continued to grow until his death.
- He wore leg braces all the time to help him walk.
- He leaned on a cane and refused to use a wheelchair out of pride.
His condition made every step painful. The nerves in his legs didn't always receive the right signals because of the pressure exerted by his body weight. Despite all that, Robert has never complained publicly.
What was the cause of death for Robert Wadlow ?
Robert Wadlow died of a sepsis, the July 15, 1940, To 1:30 a.m., at a hotel in Manistee, in the Michigan. He was only 22 years old. The infection originated from a poorly fitted splint on his right ankle, which had been applied just one week before his death.
His last words referred to his paternal grandparents« golden wedding anniversary: »The doctor says I won’t be home for the celebrations.”.
After his death, he was buried at the cemetery in’Oakwood, To Alton. His funeral was attended by more than 40,000 people. His unusually large coffin alone speaks to the magnitude of his stature:
- Length: 3.28 meters.
- Width : 81 cm.
- Depth: 76 cm.
It took 12 porters to carry his coffin. The city of’Alton The entire city came to a standstill that day to pay tribute to him.
Robert Wadlow in popular culture
The Alton Giant has become a true symbol in the United States. A statue Life-size statue pays tribute to Alton, in the’Illinois. The’Alton Museum of History and Art keeps records, photos, and articles about his life.
His story has inspired numerous articles, documentaries, and videos around the world. In France and elsewhere, he is regularly cited as the gold standard when it comes to being tall.
The English term tallest man (tallest (meaning "the greatest") is consistently associated with him in global searches.
His record has never been matched. Nearly a century after his death, Robert Pershing Wadlow He remains the greatest in history, whose stature remains unmatched.
Who is the tallest man still alive in 2026?
Sultan Kösen, born in 1982 in Turkey, is the tallest living man in the world. He alone holds three records to Guinness World Records :
- The tallest living man in the world since 2009 : 2.51 m.
- The biggest hands: 28.5 cm from the palm to the tip of the middle finger.
- The biggest feet: 36.5 cm each, that is, one size 60.
As Robert Wadlow, Sultan Kösen suffers from a pituitary gland enlargement causing gigantism. But unlike the giant of Alton, he was able to be treated. Surgery made it possible to halt its growth around 2012. That would have been completely impossible back in the days of Robert.
Its large size poses very real challenges. Its expenses would be 40 % higher than usual:
- Custom-made shoes and clothing, made in Germany.
- Special modifications to his home.
- Ongoing medical expenses to monitor his condition.
Kosen He travels all over the world and meets thousands of people. His story, like that of Robert Wadlow, has captivated entire generations.
Ranking of the Tallest Men in History
Here are the great figures in history who have surpassed 2.40 m and whose size has been documented and verified:
| Last name | Cut | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Wadlow | 2.72 m | 1918-1940 | UNITED STATES |
| John Rogan | 2.64 m | 1868-1905 | UNITED STATES |
| John Carroll | 2.63 m | 1932-1969 | UNITED STATES |
| Leonid Stadnyk | 2.57 m | 1970-2014 | Ukraine |
| Sultan Kösen | 2.51 m | 1982–present | Turkey |
This ranking shows that American men dominate the top spots. Most of these giants suffered from the same form of gigantism caused by pituitary gland enlargement. Robert Pershing Wadlow remains far ahead of everyone else.
Frequently Asked Questions About Robert Wadlow
What was the shoe size of Robert Wadlow ?
Robert Wadlow was wearing a size 75 American, or about 47 cm. His orthopedic shoes were custom-made. Making them requires three times as much leather as usual.
How old was Robert Wadlow when he died?
Robert Wadlow died at the age of 22 years old, the July 15, 1940. He died as a result of an infection caused by an ill-fitting splint. His untimely death left a mark on the entire city of’Alton.
How much did it weigh? Robert Wadlow ?
Upon his death, Robert Wadlow weighed about 199 kg. Its recorded maximum weight is 222 kg at the age of 19. That weight made every movement painful and exhausting.
Where was he born? Robert Wadlow ?
Robert Pershing Wadlow was born in February 1918 at Alton, in the’Illinois in the United States. This small American town has dedicated a life-size statue to him and a museum where visitors can view archives of his life.
Are there any photos or a video of Robert Wadlow ?
Yes. Many archival photos and videos of Robert Wadlow are available online. The’Alton Museum of History and Art preserves the originals. Documentaries and articles are regularly devoted to it in France and around the world.
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