Meet Rumeysa Gelgi, the world's tallest woman, who's 7 feet tall and just traveled on a plane for the first time (2024)

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Rumeysa Gelgi is the tallest woman in the world. She's around 7 feet tall.

Gelgi was announced the tallest woman in the world in October 2021 by the Guinness World Records. But that was not Gelgi's first time holding a world record for towering height: In 2014, she was announced the world's tallest living teenager.

The 25-year-old also holds several other world records, including the longest fingers, largest hands, and longest back on a living woman, per Guinness World Records.

"Being over seven feet tall unfortunately has brought me some physical challenges such as walking difficulties and spinal curvature," Gelgi told Insider. "However, I'm so grateful to be the way I am despite all the challenges," she added.

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Gelgi's towering height is due to a rare genetic condition called Weaver syndrome.

Gelgi was born on January 1, 1997, in Turkey. She was the first confirmed case of Weaver syndrome in the country. Weaver's syndrome is a rare condition — only 50 individuals have been reported to have the condition, per the National Organization for Rare Diseases.

Gelgi underwent open heart surgery as a one-year-old child because of congenital heart diseases. Two years later, she had surgery again for an umbilical hernia.

When Gelgi was five years old, she had to go through five months of physiotherapy before she could walk for the first time, with the aid of a walker.

She's been cited in various medical studies since 1999, as listed on her website.

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At the age of 6, Gelgi was already 5 feet and 8 inches tall.

She underwent treatment from September 2003 to May 2006 to treat her condition, which she described as "successful," adding that she is not growing anymore.

After two surgeries for scoliosis in 2013, Gelgi said she has not had any "serious injury or treatment" and instead has regular physiotherapy sessions to strengthen her body.

According to Reuters, Gelgi requires a wheelchair or walker to get about. She also wears orthopedic shoes that are custom-made for her.

Gelgi said on her website that her medical condition is "stable at the moment."

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Gelgi was homeschooled and has since completed her education.

A post shared by RUMEYSA GELGI (@rumeysagelgi)

Gelgi said on her website that she graduated elementary school in 2011 and high school in 2016.

"It was like having private lessons with a teacher. All of my teachers were amazing, so lovely and enthusiastic," Gelgi said about being homeschooled. "Science was my favorite lesson always."

Gelgi added that she keeps active with low-level fitness exercises, and that swimming is a passion of hers. She also enjoys reading detective and crime novels.

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Today, Gelgi works as a web developer in the software and technology industries.

A post shared by RUMEYSA GELGI (@rumeysagelgi)

Gelgi said her childhood dream was to work in the technology industry. She began studying web development in 2020.

According to Gelgi's LinkedIn profile, she earned a professional certificate from Harvard University in March 2022. Gelgi also attended a training and internship program in social media at a HHK GmbH, a recruitment agency, per her profile.

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In November, Gelgi flew on a plane for the first time, traveling from Istanbul to San Francisco.

A post shared by RUMEYSA GELGI (@rumeysagelgi)

In order to accomodate Gelgi, Turkish Airlines removed six economy seats and replaced them with a special stretcher, Insider previously reported.

In an Instagram post, Gelgi described her 13-hour trip as "flawless" and that it wasn't going to be her last flight. Gelgi told Insider that the crew members on board were "incredibly kind and helpful."

"It was the most amazing experience I have ever had! I have been dreaming and planning this trip for a long time, and I am so happy that I could make it happen now," Gelgi said. "Flying above clouds was surreal."

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She told Insider that she will be based in the Bay Area for five months. She plans to use her time in California to further her career in web development.

"I actually experienced a lot of other things for the first time here in the US," Gelgi said, referring to the first time she traveled on a plane.

Gelgi visited Apple's campus in Silicon Valley in November. She said that visiting Apple Park "was one of my biggest dreams" and that she "enjoyed every single moment."

Gelgi added that she is "really hoping to go further in my personal career" while residing in San Francisco. And since visiting the US, Gelgi has already found her favorite stores: Beauty chains Sephora and Ulta.

As for her next move? Gelgi said she looks forward to going on a cruise or even a road trip across Europe.

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Gelgi describes herself as an advocate for medical conditions including Weaver syndrome and scoliosis. She told Insider she first began advocating for these conditions in 2014.

Gelgi told the Guinness World Records that she was bullied during her childhood because of her height, which motivated her to spread awareness about the medical conditions she lives with.

Gelgi was a speaker at an Instagram event held by New York-based non-profit StraightForward Scoliosis Foundation in 2020, where she spoke about her journey dealing with the condition.

"What I aim with advocating is hopefully inspiring and encouraging people with visible differences to feel comfortable in their own skin, and let them know that they are not alone in their journey," Gelgi said.