Six feet separated them, yet the world’s tallest man and shortest woman discovered a shared connection during their recent reunion. In California this week, Sultan Kosen, measuring a staggering 8ft 3 (251cm), loomed over Jyoti Amge, a Guinness World Record holder at just over 2ft (62.8cm) tall.
Perched on the floor in a cross-legged pose, their contrasting heights were strikingly evident. A single foot of Mr. Kosen spans 14.3in (36.5cm), surpassing half of Ms. Amge’s stature.
Their paths had crossed previously in Cairo in 2018, where they explored the Pyramids of Giza together. Originally from Turkey, Mr. Kosen officially claimed the title of the world’s tallest living man in 2009, surpassing Bao Xishun’s record by over 10cm. His hands, a record in themselves, measure 11.22 in (28.5 cm) from wrist to middle finger tip.
Growth for Mr. Kosen followed a typical trajectory until the age of ten when a tumor triggered pituitary gigantism, altering his course. With 241,000 followers on Instagram, he navigates a life requiring custom-made attire and slumbers on a three-meter-long bed.
Meanwhile, Indian actress Ms. Amge, aged 30, stands shorter than the average two-year-old. At 18, she weighed a mere 11lbs (5kg). Her diminutive size is attributed to achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism ensuring she won’t surpass a predetermined height.
Ms. Amge earned the title of the shortest living female teenager at 15, and three years later, she clinched the title of the world’s shortest living female, a distinction she maintains. With 1.4 million Instagram followers, her dream of becoming the world’s shortest actress materialized through her appearance in the US TV series American Horror Story.
