At a height of 2.72 meters, Robert Wadlow is regarded as the tallest man in human history. However, a relatively minor injury led to the death of the “Giant of Illinois” on July 15, 1940, at the age of 22.
Robert Wadlow had a life that was anything but ordinary. Although he was born like any other child, with normal growth, his parents soon noticed that he was growing uncontrollably. By the age of 5, Wadlow was taller than 1.52 meters. By age 8, he had surpassed his father in height.
At the time of his death in 1940, Robert Wadlow was the tallest man in the world. (Photo: Getty Images/NYDN Archive)
With his extraordinary height, Wadlow drew attention wherever he went, but this also caused him numerous problems. He had to spend the equivalent of thousands of modern dollars on oversized shoes, and his increasing height led to several painful health issues.
Wadlow weighed 220 kg at the time of his death. His exceptional height and weight put immense pressure on his legs. Consequently, he suffered from leg injuries from a young age.
At 14, Wadlow had to wear leg braces to support his growing body. By 18, doctors noted that he had almost no feeling in his feet, a condition that contributed to his eventual death.
Below is the complete story of Wadlow’s death, from the initial discovery of his injury to his passing just days later.
Becoming the Tallest Man in the World and Declining Health
Robert Wadlow at 10 years old with his peers, standing at 1.82 meters tall. (Photo: Public Domain).
Born on February 22, 1918, in Alton, Illinois, Robert Pershing Wadlow arrived with a healthy weight of 3.9 kg. His parents, along with his four siblings, were of average height. However, Wadlow began to grow at an alarming rate.
By age 5, he was over 1.52 meters tall. At 8 years old, he reached 1.83 meters, and by 13, he stood at 2.13 meters.
At that point, Wadlow’s parents sought answers for their son’s extraordinary height. Doctors diagnosed him with pituitary gigantism at age 12, explaining that he had abnormally high levels of growth hormone. Since removing the pituitary gland with the medical technology of the time was too dangerous, this meant Wadlow would continue to grow uncontrollably.
As he grew older, Wadlow experienced several health issues due to his excessive height. According to Guinness World Records, at 14, he slipped while playing outside and fractured two bones in his foot. After this incident, doctors recommended that Wadlow wear an ankle brace to support his skeletal structure.
Wadlow pictured with his father before 1937. (Photo: Public Domain).
Three years later, the brace caused an infection that required Wadlow to be hospitalized for 8 weeks. Doctors reported that he had almost no feeling in his legs and didn’t notice the blister that later developed into a serious ulcer.
Despite these challenges, Wadlow capitalized on his appearance as the tallest man in the world to build his image.
He became a spokesperson for the International Shoe Company, which provided him with oversized shoes. Wadlow even agreed to appear in several shows with the Ringling Bros. Circus.
However, these appearances required a lot of travel, and Wadlow passed away during one such trip in 1940.
Sudden and Painful Death
Robert Wadlow in Florida, one day after his 22nd birthday. He passed away less than 6 months later. (Photo: Vintage_Space/Alamy Stock Photo)
In the summer of 1940, Wadlow traveled to Manistee, Michigan, where he appeared in the Independence Day parade of the National Forest Festival on July 4. However, by that evening, Wadlow began to feel ill. He developed a fever, and his father decided to let him rest at the hotel.
According to some reports, Wadlow’s fever was caused by a blister on his right ankle. He was unaware that this blister had developed due to a new brace that did not fit properly. Wadlow did not notice it because he had no feeling in his feet.
In the next 11 days, Wadlow’s condition deteriorated. His family remained by his side while doctors attempted to save him.
Robert Wadlow with his family. (Photo: Flickr).
From Illinois, his mother and younger brother came to care for him. Doctors working at the hotel—since the local hospital lacked large enough beds for him—attempted to treat Wadlow with blood transfusions and emergency surgery.
Unfortunately, none of these treatments seemed effective.
By July 14, sensing that death was near, Wadlow delivered a farewell message around 10:30 PM. He told his family members that he would not be able to attend his grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary celebration later that month.
“The doctors say I won’t be able to go home for that celebration,” Wadlow said.
Afterward, Wadlow fell into unconsciousness. The next morning, on July 15, 1940, Wadlow passed away at the age of 22. The tallest man in the world died from a small but infected blister.
After Wadlow’s Death
Residents in his hometown of Alton erected a statue in memory of Wadlow. (Photo: Flickr).
The people of Alton, Illinois, cherished Robert Wadlow and brought him back home after his sudden death in Michigan. Robert Streeper, the director of Streeper Funeral Home, personally drove to Manistee to retrieve Wadlow’s body.
The body of the “Giant of Illinois” was placed in a specially made steel coffin measuring 3.3 meters in length. This coffin weighed over 454 kg and required 10 people to carry it, with 8 additional helpers. During the two days of mourning, many people visited the funeral home to pay their respects to Wadlow. Director Streeper later noted that they had to replace the carpet of the funeral home because it had worn out.
Wadlow’s funeral took place on July 19, 1940. Businesses closed, flags were flown at half-mast, and approximately 33,295 people attended his funeral.
Wadlow was buried at Oakwood Cemetery. Fearing that his grave might be vandalized, his family placed him in a concrete-sealed coffin. His gravestone bears the simple inscription: “Rest in Peace.”
At the time of his death, Wadlow was considered the tallest man in the world. Perhaps he would have continued to grow had he lived.
Since then, no one has surpassed Wadlow’s height record, and modern medical technology almost ensures that no one will reach such heights again. Today, doctors can treat pituitary disorders.
However, for those who knew him, Wadlow was simply a son, a brother, and a friend beloved by all. The “Giant of Alton” was known for his gentleness, generosity, and simple pleasures—collecting stamps and taking photographs.
And surely, Wadlow—who once sued a doctor for labeling him a “freak”—would want to be remembered that way.
