A Really Big Kid From Alton, Illinois
- Filed under: that's life
- Date: Feb 22,2008
Wadlow was a 6-footer at the age of 8. At 10, he was 6 feet 5 inches and weighed 210 pounds. At 13, he was “the world’s tallest Boy Scout,” standing 7 feet 4 inches. He was 17 when he topped 8 feet. At the time of his death, Wadlow stood an inch shy of 9 feet, weighed 440 pounds — and was still growing.
Wadlow had designs on studying law, but a 1936 tour with the Ringling Bros. Circus made him a celebrity, and he spent the rest of his short life making public appearances. His placid nature earned him the nickname “Gentle Giant.”
As might be expected, Wadlow’s enormous size put a lot of strain on him physically. He required leg braces to walk and had very little feeling in his lower extremities.
Feb. 22, 1918: A Really Big Kid From Alton, Illinois
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