WORLD'S TALLEST WOMAN' MARIA FELICIANA DOS SANTOS, 7FT3, DIES AGED 77
World's tallest woman' Maria Feliciana dos Santos, 7ft3, dies aged 77
- Maria Feliciana dos Santos died Friday after being diagnosed with pneumonia
- The mayor of her home town declared three days of mourning for the star
One of the tallest women in the world, a basketball player who shot to fame as the 'Queen of Height' in the 60s has died in hospital aged 77.
Record-breaking Maria Feliciana dos Santos, from Brazil, grew to the astonishing height of 7ft3.8in in her early twenties.
Relatives of Santos confirmed her death overnight, claiming she had passed away at a private hospital in Aracaju, where she had been staying since Monday after being diagnosed with pneumonia.
The pensioner, who had been battling health problems for years, became a household name in her native country after transforming from a normal 10-year-old to becoming Brazil's tallest woman with an incredible period of growth during her late teens.
Born in Amparo do São Francisco, Santos toured several cities performing in circuses before winning the 'Queen of Height' contest in the 60s.
Throughout her long life, her name was also immortalised when the Estado de Sergipe building, a 28-storey skyscraper in Aracaju which became the highest in the city when it opened in 1970, became popularly known as the Maria Feliciana building.
In May 2022, the woman was honoured by the Museu de Gente Sergipana with a statue of her at the entrance to the site.
For many years Santos is believed to have been considered the world's tallest woman before she started shrinking in later life.
Following her sudden death, the mayor of Aracaju, Edvaldo Nogueira, decreed three days of mourning in the capital and paid tribute to the former singer.
'It was with sadness that I received the news of the death of Maria Feliciana from Sergipe. One of the tallest women in the world [..] I remember the first time I saw Maria Feliciana, I was still a child,' he recalled.
'Her presence caused a lot of movement. My condolences to family, friends and admirers! May God comfort their hearts.'
The Governor of Sergipe, Fábio Mitidieri, also shared his thoughts on the tragic death.
'I receive with regret the news of the death of Maria Feliciana dos Santos. [..]. Maria Feliciana left a remarkable legacy, having her name immortalised in the largest building in our state,' he said.
'She took the name of Sergipe and our popular culture to Brazil and is represented in the Museu da Gente Sergipana, a space dedicated to our identity. My condolences to family and friends in this moment of pain'.
Senator Laércio Oliveira added: 'More than queen, Maria Feliciana is one of the symbols of Sergipe's perseverance.
'She made her height a brand that took the name of our state to Brazil and other countries. A woman who will be missed, but always remembered for her affectionate nickname, the name of our tallest building and her performance on the basketball courts'.
Santos became an attraction in during her teens and early twenties at shows and circuses, where a singer and radio presenter who took her under his wing performed.
She put her travelling on hold after marrying Assuires Jose dos Santos in 1973 when she was 27.
Santos then went on to have three children with him, two sons who grew to nearly 7ft and a daughter.
For the past 15 years of her life she was in a wheelchair and largely house-bound.
Maria Feliciana's funeral is due to take place this afternoon following an overnight wake.
Her father Antonio Tintino da Silva grew to the astonishing height of 7ft8.7in and her paternal grandfather was 7ft5.4in tall.
Turkey's Rumeysa Gelgi, the world's tallest woman living right now, has a height of 7ft0.71in.
Articles - Latest
- Southern Japan hit by 6.6-magnitude quake near Nankai Trough, tsunami warnings lifted
- Peru’s coastline battered by tsunami-like waves one day after country declares environmental emergency
- California fires live updates: ‘Dangerous’ winds return as residents are warned over threat of new wildfires
- Osibisa founding member and singer Teddy Osei dead at 88
- Oliviero Toscani, photographer behind shock Benetton ads, dead at 82
- California LA Mayor Karen Bass awkwardly ignores questions from reporter about California fires
- UK set for more freezing weather as homes and businesses deal with flooding
- Jean-Marie Le Pen dead at 96: His political career through the years
- Jimmy Carter, former US president, dies aged 100
- ‘Jazz’s most significant composer’ Benny Golson dies at 95
- Billionaire founder of fashion chain Mango dies in accident
- California wildfires latest: Blaze tears through Hollywood Hills - as iconic LA landmarks at risk
- Powerful earthquake rocks remote region of Tibet and parts of Nepal, killing more than 120
- The Ancient Egyptian Soul
- Reclusive millionaire heir Will Rothschild of Rothschild family dies in Los Angeles house fire as cops launch probe
- Assisted dying supporters cheer as Bill passes Commons hurdle
- PopMaster co-creator Phil Swern dies aged 76
- Legendary Sky Sports rugby league commentator Bill Arthur tragically passes away aged 68
- Bernice Reagon, co-founder of Sweet Honey in the Rock who soundtracked the Civil Rights struggle – obituary
- Tributes pour in as Rapper Fatman Scoop dies aged 53 after collapsing on stage during a performance
- Angel Salazar: Scarface Chi Chi actor found dead in bed at friend's house aged 68
- ‘Bionic’ suit marathon fundraiser Claire Lomas dies aged 44
- Sven-Goran Eriksson died before book called A Beautiful Game he co-wrote was published
Articles - Most Read
- Main
- Contact Us
- The science behind Ouija boards
- Cosmic Consciousness - What is Cosmic Consciousness-2
- Cosmic Consciousness-Introduction
- Cosmic Consciousness - Introduction-2
- MASSIVE 6.1 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE HITS NEW ZEALAND AS NATION STILL REELING FROM CYCLONE
- ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNRAVEL THE TRUTH OF APHRODITE, GODDESS OF LOVE, ON VALENTINE'S DAY
- Cosmic Consciousness First Words - 1V - 2
- The Human Condition-Thomas Keating
- Cosmic Consciousness First Words - V -
- Cosmic Consciousness V - 2
- Cosmic consciousness - First Words - IV
- Cosmic Consciousness - What is Cosmic Consciousness?
- Shakyamuni Buddha or India the 1st “Black Revolutionary Hero.”
- Evolution and Devolution-Chapter 2
- The Human Condition - Thomas keating-3
- The Human Condition-2-Thomas Keating
- Cosmic Consciousness-On the Plane of Self Consciousness
- Drinking From The Mountain Stream - Milarepa
- The Human Condition - 4
- Cosmic Consciousness - 3 - On the Plane of Self Consciousness
- Evolution and Devolution-Chapter 1
- The Human Condition - 6
- On the Plane of Self Consciousness - 2
- Milarepa's World
- The Human Condition - 5
- Milarepa's World-2
- Contemplation and the Divine Therapy - 2
- The Buddhist System of Liberation - 2
- The Buddhist System of Liberation
- On the Plane of Self Consciousness IV
- JERRY RAWLINGS, GHANAIAN STRONG MAN WHO CAME TO POWER IN A COUP BUT INTRODUCED DEMOCRACY – OBITUARY
- On the Plane of Self Consciousness IV - 2