The tragic story of Robert Wadlow, the tallest man of all time

On February 22, 1918, Robert Pershing Wadlow was born, weighing just under 4 kg.

He would become the tallest man to be heard in history!

At 1 year old, he already weighed 20 kg and 1 meter tall

Its uncontrolled growth was a result of pituitary gland hyperplasia, which produced growth hormone at abnormal levels even until its death.

At 5, Robert was about 17 years old!

At 18, he finally became the tallest man on earth - at the time, he was 2.53 meters

Extreme height came at a price: Robert felt constant dizziness and tingling in his feet and legs.

In 1938, at the age of 20, he eventually joined a circus where he became a celebrity.

In 1940, he put an orthosis on his legs to help him move, but the lack of tenderness in his lower limbs did not make him notice that the surgery had infected him.

On July 15, 1940, at age 22, Robert died of the infection. His last height measurement had taken place 18 days earlier and he stood at an impressive 2.72 meters, and is still considered the tallest man to have walked the earth.

A life-size statue was installed in Alton, Illinois, to honor him.

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