Gabriel Estêvão Monjane

Who was Gabriel Estêvão Monjane?

Gabriel Estêvão Monjane is one of only thirteen individuals in medical history to have reached eight feet or more in height.

Born in Manjacaze, Gaza Province, Mozambique, Monjane's abnormal growth, attributed to an overactive pituitary gland, started soon after birth. By the time he was 17, Monjane stood 7 feet 10 inches. He joined a Portuguese circus around this age, and was billed as 8 feet 8.3 inches. When measured officially in 1987, Monjane was attributed with the height of 8 feet and three quarters of an inch. He also weighed 418 pounds.

During his lifetime, especially late into his life, Monjane suffered leg problems and was once crippled after falling and breaking his hip.

The Guinness Book of World Records stated that he was the tallest living man in their 1988 edition. Monjane died in January 1990 after a fall at his home, after which Suleiman Ali Nashnush, another African, was named the tallest living man.