Last updated on February 20th, 2024 at 03:08 am
While researching on real-life giants I became fascinated with this young man. He deserved his own separate posting. Robert Wadlow is recorded as the tallest man to have ever lived. He kept growing until the day he died at 8’11”, almost nine feet tall.
People have looked at his photos and claim he was photoshopped. Or he was a man on stilts.
Robert Pershing Wadlow lived from 1918 until 1940. Born and raised in Alton, Illinois. He was often called the Alton Giant. As a baby he seemed normal. He was the oldest of five children. Two sisters and two brothers. Then young Robert grew rapidly. By the time he was five, he was wearing the clothes of a teenager. In fact, as he matured, most of his clothes had to be hand tailored as he grew beyond the normal height range.
When he was twelve, he was taken in by the Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. He was diagnosed with a tumor in his pituitary gland that releases growth hormones to the body. It was benign but in the 1930’s could not be removed with successful surgery.
The family did what they could to give him a happy and normal life. They deserved the highest of praise. Robert grew up very close to his family members. They gave him the security and support to deal with his situation. He seemed happy and relaxed in family photos. He was never set apart from his siblings. He was never exploited which sadly was not the case with other abnormal children.
Robert even joined the Boy Scouts. He was the tallest Boy Scout ever at 7’4”. He sold magazines and he graduated from high school at 8’4”.
In the second photo, Robert is 10, posing with one of his brothers.
Robert gained weight up to eventually 490 pounds. He stayed thin because of his rapid metabolism to sustain his huge body. He lost some circulation and sensitivity in his lower legs. He tired easily. As an adult he used leg braces and a walking cane. He never resorted to a wheelchair.
In 1936 he did a year-long tour with the Ringling Brothers Circus. He enjoyed his time with the circus and was never exhibited in the sideshow. But he was homesick and not ready to become the celebrity the circus made of him. Robert never married and was a shy, likable young man. He enjoyed playing the guitar and photography. He was nicknamed the “Gentle Giant.”
Gawkers and photographers followed him home, but he had protection from the townspeople who loved him. They were quite proud of their local celebrity. Robert was publicized as the “Alton Giant “and “The Tallest Man in the World.”
In 1938 an offer came to him that he accepted. His shoes had to be specially created. Metal braces added to his shoes and remade several times as Robert grew. He eventually went up to 37AA shoe size. The offer came from The International Shoe Company who wanted to take him on tour. The Company was going to pay him well and make his shoes for free. Robert was older now and his father sometimes travelled with him. He toured 41 states with public appearances at shoe stores
This time he enjoyed the attention and felt his job was advertising and not as an exhibit freak. He wanted to make plans to go to college and study law.
But his family and celebrity status could not help with his medical problems. Surprisingly healthy he did not suffer from diabetes or heart problems or back pains. But he had numbness in his legs.
Walking in a Fourth of July parade in Michigan, a leg brace fitted poorly and caused blisters. He did not realize the danger of his condition. Lacking normal blood circulation in his legs and lacking a strong immune system, he rapidly developed blood infection. He was taken to a hotel and doctors were sent for him. Despite blood transfusions, Robert Wadlow died of blood poisoning on July 15, 1940. He was only 22 years old.
The town of Alton grieved for their Gentle Giant. Businesses shut down the day when he was brought home. His casket was 10 feet long and he had 18 pallbearers. Robert was buried in the Oakwood Cemetery. His funeral service was attended by 40,000 mourners.
His family had his body put in a vault and sealed with concrete so his skeleton would not be stolen and displayed.
In 1985, a life size bronze statue of Robert stands in front of the Southern Illinois University. The city of Alton has a museum of Robert and his appearances around the country. No personal possessions are displayed out of respect for his family.
Robert Wadlow still holds the title of The Tallest Man in the World in recorded history.
Came across this incredible footage on Youtube. Robert Wadlow on tour and with family.
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http://www.altonweb.com/history/wadlow/
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/world-s-tallest-man-statue