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PHOTOS | At 2,15m world's tallest woman breaks records for longest fingers and back for a female

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Rumeysa Gelgi is the world's tallest woman.
Rumeysa Gelgi is the world's tallest woman.
Photo: Rumeysa Gelgi/CATERS NEWS
  • At 2.15 metres, Rumeysa Gelgi is the tallest woman in the world.
  • The 25-year-old has now broken two more records, crowned the female with the world's longest fingers and the longest back.
  • Rumeysa's height results from a rare genetic disorder called Weaver syndrome.


The tallest woman in the world has revealed she's smashed another three world records - including the woman with the world's largest hands. 

Rumeysa Gelgi, 25, from Safranbolu, Turkey, has also been crowned the female with the world's longest fingers and the longest back. 

Rumeysa's right hand is 24.93cm long, compared to the average female hand, which measures around 17cm. 

At 7ft 0.7inches (2.15 metres), Rumeysa's height, a result of a rare genetic disorder called Weaver syndrome, has made her life difficult in many ways. 

However, she believes that although something might seem like a negative to others, you can turn it into something beautiful that makes you special in the world if you believe and work hard enough. 

"My height looks like a disadvantage to other people, but I have turned it into a blessing for myself. My uniqueness and differences are being awarded and celebrated," Rumeysa said.  

worlds tallest woman
Rumeysa's 24.93cm hands compared to her neighbour's hand.

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While her outlook on life remains positive, she admits her height presents its fair share of challenges.  

"One of the biggest challenges that I face is transportation. I'm too tall to sit in a car in a regular seated position, so I have to travel in a van with a mattress in the back so that I can lay down. 

"I have never been on a plane before, but I am hoping to do so this year, and I will have to travel while laying down on a stretcher."

Rumeysa suffers from scoliosis due to her condition, which means she cannot remain in the same position for too long. 

The 25-year-old weighed just over 13lbs (5.8kgs) when she was born and was 59cm long, the average length of a two-month-old baby. 

By the time she was six years old, Rumeysa says she was already 5ft 6inches (1.54 metres) and still growing at a rapid rate. 

"I was always aware of my condition but wasn't conscious of how much I stood out until I was around six years old when I was 5ft 6inches," she added. 

"However, I was never upset or ashamed of my height because of how positive my parents taught me to be. 

"It can be tough because not everywhere is accessible to me, especially as I mainly use a wheelchair or walking frame to get about."

worlds tallest woman
Rumeysa Gelgi - the world's tallest woman.
worlds tallest woman
Rumeysa as a child.

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Rumeysa also struggles to find clothing that fits because of her height. 

"I have to get my trousers and leggings custom made to fit me, and I buy dresses but wear them as tops. So, it is really limiting and hard to find clothes that I actually like and want to wear," she explained. 

"I have to get custom-made shoes too, and they can cost up to £100 (R1976,12) per pair."

Rumeysa's bed has also been specially made. 

"Although there are challenges that come with my condition and height, it has taught me so much.

"Instead of looking at it as something that is negative and causes me trouble, I just see it as something that makes me unique in the world."

Source: Rumeysa Gelgi/ CATERS NEWS/MAGAZINEFEATURES.CO.ZA



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