Obit: World’s Tallest Woman Dies

The woman recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest woman died yesterday at age 53. Sandy Allen, who was 7 feet 7 inches, had grown to more than six feet by age 10, and she passed the seven-foot mark by 16. Her speedy growth was caused by a tumor on her pituitary gland, which she had removed in 1977. Earlier in her life, Sandy was uncomfortable with her height, but being recognized by Guinness in 1974 helped her accept and even laugh at her size. She spoke to school groups about how about different is okay and wore shirts that said “The weather up here is fine.” [AP via CBS News]