Records of human height are often filled with rumors, exaggerations, and mistranslated lists. One can find the names of many such tall women on the internet, whose actual height is not available with clear and concrete evidence.
The heights of the women mentioned here are as certified by Guinness World Records or other reliable sources. Some of them earned the official title of “world’s tallest living woman” during their time, while others turned their extraordinary height into historical recognition in sports like basketball.
Siddika Parveen – 7’8″ (234 cm), India
Siddiqa Parveen, from West Bengal, India, was recognized by Guinness World Records in 2014 as the world’s tallest living woman. His height was measured at approximately 7 feet 8 inches. The main reason for Siddiqa’s excessive height was a disorder in the pituitary gland, which causes excess growth hormone in the body.
Yao Defen – 7’7″ (233.3 cm), China
Yao Defen, born in Anhui province of China, held the title of the world’s tallest woman for a long time. His height was 233.3 cm. Yao’s massive body was due to a pituitary tumor. Until her death in 2012, she remained in the global media spotlight due to her height and its associated health challenges.
Sandy Allen – 7’7″ (231.7 cm), USA
America’s Sandy Allen became famous as the world’s tallest woman in the 1970s. Sandy, who was 7 feet 7 inches tall, never allowed her height to become a weakness. She worked in films and became known as the “Gentle Giant”. He played an important role in spreading awareness about his condition.
Zhang Ziyu – 7’3″ (220 cm), China
Currently a rising name in the world of basketball is Zhang Ziyu. His height reached 220 cm (7 ft 3 in) in his teenage years. She is often seen as one of the most influential female athletes of the future. His height gives him an unbeatable edge on the court.
Margo Dydek – 7’2″ (218 cm), Poland
Margoszta “Margo” Dydek was one of the tallest players in women’s basketball history. Standing 7 feet 2 inches tall, this Polish center player was famous for her shot-blocking skills. He made his mark in the sports world by playing for big clubs like Utah Starz and Los Angeles Sparks.
Zainab Bibi – 7’2″ (218 cm), Pakistan
The height of Zainab Bibi of Pakistan was recorded to be around 218 cm. She was reported as the tallest woman in the world around 2003. Although he faced many social and security challenges in his home country, his height made him internationally famous.
Rumesa Gelgi – 7’0.7″ (215.16 cm), Türkiye
Rumesa Gelgi currently holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest woman living. He was born with “Weaver Syndrome”, a rare genetic condition. She uses her height as a platform to spread awareness of rare diseases.
Mali Duangdi – ~7’0″ (212–214 cm), Thailand
Mali Duangdi of Thailand was recognized as the world’s tallest teenager when she was a teenager. His height was recorded to be between 212 and 214 cm. Unfortunately, she died at a young age in 2016 due to health problems, but she remained the tallest woman in Thailand’s history.
Ulyana Semenova – 6’11” (210 cm), Latvia
Soviet-Latvian basketball star Ulyana Semenova was one of the most dominant players of the 1970s and 80s. With a height of 6 feet 11 inches, he led his team to several Olympic gold medals. He has also been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Geetika Srivastava – 6’11” (≈211 cm), India
Geetika Srivastava, former player of the Indian national basketball team, is considered one of the tallest women in India. His height is approximately 6 feet 11 inches. Although he is not officially included in the Guinness Book, his stature is exemplary in the field of sports—and in the context of India.