Guide Note

Leonid Stadnyk holds the 2008 Guinness World Record as the world's tallest living man.¹ Stadnyk's size has posed difficulties for him. For example, he could not find shoes that fit, and wore only socks for a time. As a result, his feet became frostbitten, which forced him to quit his job as a veterinarian.² As he has become more of a public figure, however, he has received gifts of clothes, and other items that fit him properly, including a custom built Chevrolet.³

Fast Facts

1. Full name: Leonid Ivanovych Stadnyk
2. Born: 1971¹
3. Resides: Podoliantsi, Ukraine⁴
4. Height: 8' 5.5"¹
5. Occupation: Farmer⁵

Stadnyk was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor at age 14. Doctors speculate that the surgery he underwent to deal with the tumor stimulated his pituitary gland to produce excess growth hormone.^{6 7}