Maria Feliciana dos Santos dead – ‘world’s tallest woman’ dies aged 77 after 7ft3 basketball player became global star
ONE of the world’s tallest women has died in hospital aged 77 after being diagnosed with pneumonia.
Maria Feliciana dos Santos grew to the astonishing height of 7 feet 3.8 inches in her early twenties – snatching the world record, before shrinking as she got older.
For many years, Maria held the the title of the world’s tallest woman.
The world’s tallest woman living right now, Turkey’s Rumeysa Gelgi, measures 7 feet 0.71 inches – still inches off Maria’s height record.
Relatives a the former singer and basketball player confirmed overnight she had died yesterday at a private hospital in Aracaju, the capital of Sergipe state on Brazil’s northeast coast.
The pensioner, who had been battling health problems for years, became a household name in her native country after an incredible period of growth during her late teens.
She transformed from a normal 10-year-old to quickly claim the title of Brazil’s tallest woman, towering high above her contemporaries.
The Estado de Sergipe building, a 28-storey skyscraper in Aracaju that was the highest in the city when it opened in 1970, is popularly known as the Maria Feliciana building.
Her father Antonio Tintino da Silva grew to the astonishing height of 7 feet 8.7 inches and her paternal grandfather reached 7 feet 5.4 inches tall.
She regularly features in online top tens of the world’s tallest women ever.
She became an attraction during her late teens and toured several cities and performed in circuses in the 60s where she began making waves.
At 18, she hit the big time and earned her spot as a national celebrity after being crowned “Rainha da Altura” (Queen of Height) on a popular Brazilian TV programme.
She put her travelling on hold after marrying Assuires Jose dos Santos in 1973 when she was 27.
She went on to have three children with him, two sons who grew to nearly 7ft and a daughter.
In 2022, a statue of her was erected outside a museum in her home state of Sergipe to honour her life.
For the past 15 years, however, Maria was in a wheelchair and largely house-bound.
The star’s funeral is due to take place this afternoon following an overnight wake.
Aracaju’s mayor Edvaldo Nogueira decreed three days of mourning as news of her death emerged.
He said overnight: “I received the news of that Maria Feliciana had passed away with sadness. One of the tallest women in the world.
“I remember the first time I saw her when I was still a child. It was in Pao de Acucar where I was born. Her presence caused quite a star.
“My condolences to her family, friends and admirers. May God comfort their hearts.”
Fabio Mitidieri, governor of the state of Sergipe, added: “I am saddened to learn of the death of Maria Feliciana dos Santos.
“She left a remarkable legacy, with her name eternalised on the highest building in our state.
“She put Sergipe and our culture on the national and international map.”
One of the many well-wishers who wrote tributes posted on her Instagram site said: “Rest in peace Maria Feliciana.
“My condolences to all your family and friends. You were an icon who represented our city and state.”
Earlier this year, another record-breaking woman died after succumbing to complications from a cold.
Online star Xiao Mo of Shaoyang from China is believed to have stood 7.5ft tall, but died under unusual circumstances aged just 23.
In February, the world’s tallest man in the world met up with the shortest living woman to show off their staggering height difference.
Sultan Kosen, 41, at 8 feet 3 inches tall sat next to and 2 feet tall Jyoti Amge, 30.
Both Kosen and Amge earned their titles in 2011 from the Guinness World Records.