The tallest man in the world, Sultan Kosen, stands at an impressive height of 8 feet 2 inches (243cm) and requires three beds to sleep comfortably. Holding the Guinness World Record as the tallest living man since 2009, Kosen surpassed competitors for the title. Originally from Ankara, Turkey, the 43-year-old former farmer surpassed the previous record held by Xi Shun, measuring 7 feet 8.95 inches, marking the first time in over two decades that a person over eight feet tall was officially measured.
Growing up, Kosen realized his exceptional height early on, standing over 5 feet tall by the age of nine. However, his towering stature brought challenges, leading to social exclusion and mental stress during his youth. Kosen described how his peers were afraid of him due to his height, causing him to feel isolated and leading to eye problems and limited vision, which further affected his emotional well-being.
Eventually, medical experts discovered a tumor in Kosen’s pituitary gland, believed to be the cause of his extraordinary height and vision issues. Following successful surgery to remove the tumor, Kosen underwent a second operation in 2008, which he credits with saving his life. Subsequently, in 2009, he met with Guinness World Records officials in Turkey, where his record-breaking height of 8 feet 2.8 inches was officially confirmed, along with having the largest hands and feet globally.
Despite the challenges he faced, Kosen expressed relief and acceptance upon achieving the record, indicating that it brought a sense of validation and recognition. While he has come to terms with his past struggles, he still encounters difficulties related to his height, especially while traveling. Kosen highlighted the constraints he faces when choosing transportation and accommodation due to his exceptional height, necessitating specific arrangements like oversized cars and multiple beds in hotels to accommodate his stature.
Though Kosen now enjoys international fame and a wide network of friends, a new contender, Sulemana Abdul Samed from Ghana, briefly challenged his record in 2023 after reportedly being measured at 9 feet 6 inches. However, subsequent measurements conducted by a BBC reporter revealed a height of 7 feet 4 inches due to equipment limitations during the initial assessment.