Rumeysa Gelgi enters Guinness World Records 8 times in 12 years

Rumeysa Gelgi, 29, who lives in the Safranbolu district of Karabük, Türkiye, and stands 2 metres 15 centimetres tall, has entered the Guinness World Records 8 times over 12 years. Gelgi said the records have had a positive effect on her life, but that her main goal is to raise awareness.

Gelgi first entered the Guinness World Records in 2014 with a height of 2 metres 13 centimetres, as the world's tallest teenage girl. In 2021 she became the world's tallest woman. In 2022 she won the records for the largest hands on a woman, the longest fingers, the longest back, and the largest feet on a woman. In 2024 she added the largest ears on a woman and the longest girl baby born.

I would say I used these records mostly to become visible, to inspire people in similar situations, to show them they are not alone, and to say that there are things we can achieve with the features we have.

Rumeysa Gelgi

Contributing to genetic research

Gelgi lives with a rare syndrome that has caused rapid growth since birth, and has for years contributed to research to clarify her genetic features. Genetic tests in 2018-2019 found no known mutation in her DNA. Her genetic map was examined in detail at the Pasteur Institute in France.

Gelgi said the naming of her syndrome changed after the studies. Her condition had first been diagnosed as Weaver syndrome, known as a rapid growth syndrome. She also said she has prepared academic publications covering her work on rapid growth syndromes and scoliosis, her own experiences and scientific evidence.