R.I.P.
Sandy Allen, the tallest woman in the word at 7 feet 7 inches, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 53.
A friend of the family, Rita Rose, confirmed that Allen died at a nursing home in her hometown of Shelbyville, Indiana.
Allen had been hospitalized in recent months as she was suffering from a recurring blood infection - not to mention diabetes, kidney failure, and breathing problems.
However, the cause of death is not yet known.
Allen's height is attributed to a tumor which caused her pituitary gland to produce way too much growth hormone. Luckily she underwent surgey in 1977 to remove the tumor and prevent further growth.
Rose said Allen later learned to be proud of her height. She says Allen "embraced it. She used it as a tool to educate people."
Back in 1974 Allen even wrote to the Guinness World Records in 1974, saying she'd like to get to know someone her own height.
She wrote, "It is needless to say my social life is practically nil and perhaps the publicity from your book may brighten my life."
Of that publicity, Rose says, "It kind of brought her out of her shell. She got to the point where she could joke about it."
Allen used her height to inspire schoolchildren and others to accept those who are different.
So in her memory, Rose is working to set up a scholarship fund in Allen's name, with proceeds going to Shelbyville High School.
Rose adds, "She loved talking to kids because they would ask more honest questions. Adults would kind of stand back and stare and not know how to approach her."
[Image via Guinness World Records.]
Top Model Tranny
New York City Rocks Harder
=( condolences to the fam
sadd
sad
aww (N).
whos the tallest woman alive now?
aww.
awh, that is sad
RIPP
ickyyy.
Awww, nice lady. I remember reading a few articles about her. Did she have Marfan syndrome too? That is what took Andre the Giant. I remember watching him when I was a kid and my parents were all into the wrestling thing before it became the joke it is today .. well, it was always a joke, but it was far more entertaining in the 80s.
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I always thought how it would suck to be regarded at what you looked like instead of what you truly were in your heart and soul. I hope Sandy Allen had people who knew her and loved her and found her size incidental to the person she was.
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Yeah, I know, I'm usually a hard-ass, but RIP Sandy Allen, hopefully in the world you inhabit now you are perfect.
It's sad to hear that her last years were so riddled with illness. It's wonderful that someone with so many issues of her own spent so much time trying to help children understand how to deal with differences.
Oh, and Taylor? It's a shame that your parents didn't love you.
Re: lizzziee ! – what do you mean icky, lizzziee hoe? this is a sad story, some respect would be nice.
Awww-RIP Sandy. My prayers are with the Family
Ah…rest in peace, Sandy. I saw a documentary on Sandy several years ago. She seemed like such a kind and gracious person. Not icky at all. Life is all about differences. She was a good different.
RIP, bless her soul
=(
Awww.
RIP Sandy. You were a beautiful human being.
she was a neat lady, i saw her talking on TV to another guy who was very tall, she had class and was a very nice lady
R.I.P.
I loved Sandy, I remember seeing her for the first time on That's Incredible back in the 80's. She was a wise, smart, wonderful woman. Glad she made people aware that it's ok to look different…
Big girl, big heart - RIP
Only 53 and lived in a Nursing Home-where's her Family?
I met her several times in a Niagara Falls Canada museum,she was a very nice person.
awfuly young to live in a nursing home.rip
aww…so sad…she truly made a difference here in Indiana…she will be missed
sad. i am from indiana and knew of her. so sad. in a nursing home no less
RIP Sandy…What a great lady, saw her once in NYC,such a kid person. And as for you Taylor, your a fuck stain and I hope someone cuts you up and puts you in two boxes! Ass Face!
RIP sweet lady! You will be missed.
So sad. I saw a documentary on her and she seemed like such a genuinely good hearted person who had seen a lot of ridicule in her life yet she tried to educate people about her condition. At least she is at peace now and finally no longer in pain. My condolences go out to her family and friends. She died much too young.
Why didn't they remove the tumor sooner, like when she was maybe 6'*"?? You'd think they'd start to think hey maybe we should help this lady. But no they decide to remove it when she's 7'7"….sheesh! I saw her on t.v…..she was the nicest lady…I'm sorry she's gone.
Very sad. Wonderful Lady. She was wonderful In Federico Fellini's Casanova. A beautiful film.
NO! she was cool.
RIP
that is really tall.
I just saw a documentary about her a couple of nights ago. How sad. RIP Sandy.
aww she had such a positive attitude and seemed like such a genuine person ..
RIP Sandy
Damn, RIP Sandy. I kind of know what she feels like being 16 and standing at 6'2…but I'm fortunate to say I just come from a naturally tall family..
But I hope she's happier now..:(
RIP
thats so sad
…I remember seeing her on 20/20 and all those types of news shows. Condolences to friends and family…
the really cool thing about her was talking to the children and them know different is ok…
may you rest in peace.
RIP
I remember seeing her on tv throughout the years. Such a nice lady.
That poor woman… born with such a handicap. Such a sad story, her life. Too bad misfortunes like hers couldn't be dished out to those that karmically deserve it (Mario/"Perez"???)
I remember reading about Sandy Allen, many moons ago, when I was in grammar school.
My heartfelt thanks, to her, for fostering my compassion and love of diversity.
Perez, if you know of a site, to send our condolences, please let us know.
Re: Taylor – I doubt it, ignoramus.
Thats a huge bitch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Jane Doe – Unfortunately, the illness and family finances dictates whether or not the patient is admitted into a home…regardless of age.
I hope that you never have to make that decision, for a loved one….it's heartbreaking.
My condolences to Sandy's family. Such a lovely woman. She'll be missed by many.
She was really well thought of here in the Indianapolis area. She went out of her way to be kind to people and put them at ease … especially children. The world has truly lost a great soul, but Sandy can now rest easily and comfortably.
That's so sad. RIP Sandy.
im so sad!! i just saw a documentary about this woman three days ago!! her and the world's tallest man!! they are such nice gentle people!!
this makes me so sad!!
I was really sad to hear of her passing. I remember reading about her back in the day…my condolences to the family.
Sad news. I saw her on TV a few years back and she was a genuinely friendly, good person. She had a very deep voice for a woman but other than that and her height, she was very normal. It's unfortunate that a lot of abnormally tall people usually don;t live to be very old - for whatever reason they develop a lot of health issues and are more vulnerable to illnesses, disease. Like the tallest man ever, Robert Wadlow, died from septicimia (?) or blood-poisoning brought on by a blister on his leg caused by the leg brace he wore rubbing into the bone too much.
Is that a 64 oz drink she is holding!! WOW…
Shelbyville? Isn't that the town next to Springfield on The Simpsons?
7 feet and 7 inches.
Wow, what an amazing woman.
Poor woman had to go through a lot, RIP ma'm.
Wasn't she in "Thelma & Louise", "Cutthroat Island" and "The Long Kiss Goodnight"? So sad….
NOOOOOOOO she was so nice
Oh yah and by the way Perez this is the most UNFLATTERING picture of this woman I have ever seen! She wasn't bad looking you could've got a better photo. Jackass
RIP Sandy…
It's so sad to hear about everything that she had to go through, and her not even having a social life… People won't talk to her because she is different… And even though she went through all of that, she still seemed like a genuinely nice person!
I knew her =[ She was my Grandmother's best friend up until the day my grandmother died. She was an amazing lady.