World's tallest woman dies at age 39
BEIJING (AP) - The world's tallest woman has died in eastern China. She was 39.
Chinese state media say Yao Defen died on Nov. 13 at her home in China's eastern province of Anhui.
Guinness World Records in January 2010 had certified her as the world's tallest living woman at 7 feet and 7 inches (233.3 centimeters).
The local Xin'an Evening News did not give the cause of death but said in a report that Yao suffered from gigantism, with a tumor on her pituitary gland disrupting her levels of growth hormone. A government official in her county who gave only his surname, Liu, confirmed Yao's death on Wednesday.
The Xin'an newspaper said Yao learned to play basketball when young, and that she was 6 feet and 7 inches (200 centimeters) tall by the age of 15.
In a Chinese-language video from three years ago, Yao expressed anguish at her unusual height. "I am very unhappy. Why am I this tall?" she said from her bed. "If I were not this tall, others would not look at me like this."
Chinese state media say Yao Defen died on Nov. 13 at her home in China's eastern province of Anhui.
Guinness World Records in January 2010 had certified her as the world's tallest living woman at 7 feet and 7 inches (233.3 centimeters).
The local Xin'an Evening News did not give the cause of death but said in a report that Yao suffered from gigantism, with a tumor on her pituitary gland disrupting her levels of growth hormone. A government official in her county who gave only his surname, Liu, confirmed Yao's death on Wednesday.
The Xin'an newspaper said Yao learned to play basketball when young, and that she was 6 feet and 7 inches (200 centimeters) tall by the age of 15.
In a Chinese-language video from three years ago, Yao expressed anguish at her unusual height. "I am very unhappy. Why am I this tall?" she said from her bed. "If I were not this tall, others would not look at me like this."
Yo, KATU, let's not forget the oldest person also died yesterday. A 116-yr-old woman!
""If I were not this tall, others would not look at me like this.""Â What a sad commentary on humanity, that we look at people like this young woman and consider them to be freaks simply because of a physical trait or "abnormality".
So sad that something could not be done for her, allowing her to have a more normal life and life expectancy. RIP Yao Defen.
What a tragic loss of a young life. It's heart breaking to hear how unhappy she was. Whatever happens after this life, I hope she found peace and happiness.
RIP tall one.