The world’s tallest man, standing at a towering 8ft 2in (243cm), requires three beds to sleep comfortably. Sultan Kosen claimed the Guinness World Record for being the tallest living man in 2009, even outstripping other contenders for the title.
The 43 year old ex-farmer took over from 7ft 8.95in Xi Shun, becoming the first individual exceeding eight feet to be measured in more than two decades. Sultan, who hails from Ankara, Turkey, was always aware of his exceptional height, already surpassing 5ft by the age of nine. However, his extraordinary height has led to both physical and mental challenges. He confessed that he was ostracised by his peers during his youth, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Speaking on the I Had a Doubt podcast, Sultan revealed: “Because I was so tall, my friends were afraid of me and ran away.”
He began to experience issues with his eyesight, with his field of vision narrowing until he could only see directly ahead. Feeling “embarrassed and ashamed”, he would retreat to his bedroom, admitting that he “didn’t enjoy” his childhood.
As his growth continued, Sultan became increasingly apprehensive about his future. He shared: “As my height increased, my life got worse; it became increasingly bleak. I was constantly thinking about what was going to become of me, whether I would die, whether I would live… I was very afraid; I lived in constant fear.”
Doctors discovered a tumour in his pituitary gland, which they suspected was responsible for both his extraordinary stature and his sight problems. He had surgery, but the tumour reappeared.
A second procedure in 2008 proved successful, with Sultan believing he “would have died” without the intervention. Twelve months later, he recalls his life was transformed when he encountered the Guinness World Records officials in Turkey.
He recounts they wished to authenticate reports he was the world’s tallest man. It was at that moment they verified he was not merely the tallest man, but also possessed the world’s largest hands and feet.
“I measured 2.46 meters, and now I measure 2.51 meters,” he adds.
In conversation with Judith Tiral, he reveals the record helped him feel “accepted”. Whilst he has moved past the difficulties he faced in his youth, Sultan acknowledges that getting around can still prove challenging.
He explains it restricts which vehicles he can purchase and even affects how he travels internationally. He added: “The first time I took a plane, I travelled in business, so there was space. I have to travel Business or First. I can’t do economy, not with my height.
“I have to travel in vans or convertible cars. I also have to adjust the seat. It’s hard to take a normal taxi. It needs to be a big vehicle.
“When I go to a hotel, normal beds are too small for me, so they put three single beds, one next to the other, so I can sleep.”
While he was once ostracised by his peers, Sultan now says the best part of being tall is the fame it has brought him, confessing that he now has “friends all over the world”. However, in 2023, his claim faced a challenge.
Sulemana Abdul Samed from Ghana was reportedly measured at 9ft 6in during a medical examination. However, doctors lacked the appropriate equipment to accurately measure Sulemana, and when a BBC reporter travelled to Africa, he was measured at 7ft 4in.
