Chandra Bahadur Dangi

In February 2012 Guinness measured Chandra Bahadur Dangi, a 72-year-old from Nepal, at 54.6 cm (about 21.5 inches), shorter than many newborn babies. It made him the shortest adult of all time on record. He died in 2015.

His age of 72 was reported by Guinness but could not be independently verified. The record covers adults whose height could be measured and checked.

Context

Dangi was measured in Kathmandu at a clinic, by Guinness's editor-in-chief, three times within 24 hours, which is the organization's procedure for height records. He came from a remote village in western Nepal and made his living weaving traditional garments, and he was discovered by a forest contractor who told local media about him.

His result of 54.6 cm beat the previous holder of the shortest living man title, Junrey Balawing of the Philippines, who stood at about 59.9 cm. Guinness also said he was shorter than the earlier verified adult mark, 57 cm for Gul Mohammed of India.

His age of 72 was stated by himself and was not confirmed by documents at the time, and his condition had never been medically diagnosed. That is why the record is described as shortest adult measured and verified by Guinness, and not as proof that no shorter person has ever existed. He was later reported to have died in 2015.