Between unrealistic beauty standards set by celebrities and influencers alike and disrespectful comments from classmates, friends, or even worse family members, it’s tough navigating the modern world as a young girl.
For Rumeysa Gelgi, the Guinness World Record holder for tallest living woman at 7’0.7″, life hasn’t always been easy. However, she’s used her experience to inspire others and bring awareness to her rare condition.
Born in Turkey on January 1, 1997, Gelgi immediately displayed signs of a very rare genetic mutation called Weaver syndrome.
Weaver syndrome is a rare condition that typically occurs during pregnancy or when the child is a newborn. It is characterized by tall stature, an unusually large head, intellectual disability, distinctive facial features, permanently bent digits, poor coordination, soft and doughy skin, umbilical hernia, abnormal muscle tone, and a hoarse, low-pitched cry during infancy.
By the time Gelgi was six, she realized she was different. While other children her age were barely four feet tall, Gelgi already stood at 5′ 8″.
Her early years were challenging. They were filled with multiple surgeries, including two for scoliosis, and months of physiotherapy. Despite the obstacles, Gelgi says her family’s support made all the difference.
“My parents never treated me as different, but rather as special, and their approach helped shape my outlook on life,” Gelgi tells Newsner in an email.
In the early 2000s, Gelgi underwent an experimental treatment to slow her rapid growth caused by Weaver syndrome.
“It was an experimental treatment and noone [sic] could predict what the outcome would be. However I needed to undergo it, as without it, my rapid growth could have reached life-threatening levels,” she says. “It was well beyond the normal growth chart.”
Thankfully, the treatment worked, and by her teenage years, Gelgi stopped growing. Even so, she still stood far taller than those around her.
In 2013, Gelgi stumbled upon an article that listed the tallest living female teenager at the time.
“I noticed that she was shorter than me and thought ‘Why not go for it?’ So I decided to apply for my first Guinness World Records title ever: the tallest living female teenager,” she recalls.
“The process was exciting and transformative, setting me on a path I never anticipated, and the rest is history…”
Gelgi received “the world’s tallest living female teenager” title in 2014, which eventually transitioned into the title for “the world’s tallest living woman” once she became an adult and was re-measured.
The 27-year-old currently holds seven Guinness World Records, including:
- Tallest living woman
- Largest hands on a woman
- Widest handspan on a woman
- Longest fingers on a woman
- Longest back on a woman
- Longest ears on a woman
- Longest born baby girl
In addition to holding numerous world records, Gelgi uses her fame to advocate for Weaver Syndrome and scoliosis.
“I don’t feel obligated to raise awareness, I do it willingly,” she says. “Weaver Syndrome is so rare and little-known that I aim to help make it more recognized. Raising awareness for my conditions was actually a childhood dream of mine. I’m happy that I can now use my voice and share my story to achieve that.”
As she celebrates 10 years as a Guinness World Record holder, she hopes people understand she doesn’t need to be “cured” of Weaver syndrome. It is simply a part of who she is.
“All of the physical features or differences I have, including my voice tone, are simply aspects of my syndrome.”
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