Tallest woman Rumeysa Gelgi shares plans to see the world after whirlwind trip to London
The world’s tallest woman Rumeysa Gelgi has big plans for 2025.
The record breaker, who celebrates her 28th birthday today (1 January), wants to see as much of the world as she can.
Hailing from Türkiye, 215.16 cm (7 ft 0.7 in) tall Rumeysa left her home country for the first time ever in 2022 when she travelled to America to film Guinness World Records documentary Rumeysa: Walking Tall.
And in 2024, she travelled to the UK for the first time to celebrate GWR Day alongside the world’s shortest woman Jyoti Amge (India).
When we asked Rumeysa to reflect on last year, she told us: “My highlights include bringing my GWR records up to eight, travelling to London, finally meeting the GWR team and Jyoti.”
She added: “My New Year’s resolutions are to visit more countries and landmarks, return to the USA at some point in 2025, and explore more opportunities related to my personal career.”
Rumeysa, who works in the computer industry, did indeed earn two new records last year – her 10th anniversary since becoming a record breaker.
Rumeysa first entered the record books in 2014 as the tallest female teenager when she was 213.6 cm (7ft 0.09 in) tall.
Rumeysa and Jyoti together in London
After turning 18, she became the tallest woman living and earned the other following titles:
• Longest finger on a living person (female) - 11.2 cm (4.40 in)
• Widest hand span on a living person (female) - 22.6 cm (8.9 in)
• Largest hands on a living person (female) - right hand measures 24.93 cm (9.81 in) and left hand measures 24.26 cm (9.55 in)
• Longest back on a living person (female) - 59.90 cm (23.58 in)
GWR's Craig Glenday hands Rumeysa her ICON certificate
Her seventh and eighth titles came last year when she discovered through research that she was the longest baby (female). She shares that record with her mum Safiye Şahin Gelgi.
When Rumeysa was born on 1 January 1997, she measured 59 cm (1 ft 11 in).
Rumeysa also claimed the record for longest ears on a person (female). Her ears have an average measurement of 9.58 cm (3.77 in).
She said at the time: “My motivation for breaking this record is my ears are obviously large and this has unfortunately been one of the main things I’ve been bullied for throughout my entire life.
“I was even told to undergo cosmetic surgery to ‘fix’ my ears, even though I never needed to do it.
“So, I thought that it would be a very strong message to break another record with something I was previously mocked for.”
She truly is an inspiration, which is why she was named an ICON in the 2025 edition of our book.
Today, Rumeysa says she’ll be celebrating her birthday with a posh family dinner.
She told us: “I will spend my 28th birthday with my family. I used to feel overwhelmed about my birthdays when I was a teen. However, as I approach my 30s, they don’t feel as exciting anymore.”
It’s still your special day, Rumeysa, and we wish you all the best.