Illinois Bicentennial

Robert Wadlow

Robert Wadlow was born in Alton, Illinois, in 1918. He holds the record for the tallest human being. His great size and continued growth in adulthood were due to hyperplasia of his pituitary gland, resulting in an abnormally high level of human growth hormones. At the time of his death at age 22, he was 8'11.1" tall and weighed 490 pounds.

He is pictured with his father, whose height was 5' 11.5".