Guinness World Records has named a family from a small town in Minnesota the tallest in the world.
The Trapp family, which is made up of Scott, 57, Kristine, 52, Savanna, 27, Molly, 24, and Adam, 22, has an average height of 6 feet, 8.03 inches. Guinness said that their combined height is equivalent to half the length of a tennis court.
All the Trapp children, who are from the town of Esko, played sports throughout their childhoods and were recruited by colleges for either basketball or volleyball.
“Coaches always said to us, ‘You can’t teach height. You’re either tall or you’re not,'” Molly told Guinness World Records in a story about them shared this week.
The family’s youngest member is Adam, who towers over his siblings and parents at an astounding 7 feet, 3 inches tall. Savanna, who measures 6 feet, 8 inches, said her “super tall little brother” inspired her to reach out to Guinness World Records about the possible title.
The family was confirmed as the tallest in the world in December 2020 after visiting a local orthopaedics doctor to be measured. Each family member had to be measured thrice daily, standing up and lying down. According to the official record keeper, the average of those measurements was used to calculate their height.
The family has now met all the criteria to qualify for a place in the record books, and they were thrilled to learn that they had actually become the new titleholders.
“My sister called the family to tell us that we officially got the record. Everyone was excited about it, and it was almost hard to believe,” Adam said.
The Trapp family said that recognition makes up for the downsides of being so tall. They noted physical growing pains, which Savanna described as “unreal,” as well as always having to duck through doorways and having difficulties driving a car with such long legs.
The Trapp family has an average height of 6 feet, 8.03 inches. Photo Credit: Kevin Scott Ramos/Guinness World Records
Being taller than their peers has also taken an emotional toll. Scott, who is 6 feet 8 inches tall, said he was taller than his teacher in the first grade.
The family also attracts attention wherever they go, but they told Guinness World Records that they have learned to embrace their genetics and use their height to engage in conversations.
“Being able to meet new people when they come up and ask me questions about my height is something I like the most,” Adam said.
The Trapp family said their unique characteristics have made them feel like a stronger unit.
“It’s nice to have a shoulder tall enough for you to lean on,” Molly said. “Who better to understand what you’re going through than the people who are even taller than you are?”
