List of the verified shortest people

This list includes the shortest ever verified people in their lifetime or profession. The entries below are broken down into different categories which range from sex, to age group and occupations. Most of the sourcing is done by Guinness World Records which in the last decade has added new categories for "mobile" and "non-mobile" men and women. The world's shortest verified man is Chandra Bahadur Dangi, while for women Pauline Musters holds the record.

At just 54.6 cm (21.5 in), Nepalese-born Chandra Bahadur Dangi was, at the time of his death in 2015, the world's shortest person ever verified.

For people who are notable for their short height but aren't the "shortest x", see List of people with dwarfism.

Men

  Deceased   Living

Nationality Height Name Notes Lifespan
   Nepal 54.6 cm (21.5 in) Chandra Bahadur Dangi Chandra was declared the shortest human adult ever documented and verified, measuring 21.51 in (54.64 cm). Height confirmed by Guinness World Records.[1] 1939–2015
 India 57.0 cm (22.4 in) Gul Mohammed Guinness World Records verified Mohammed's height at 22 in (57 cm).[2] He was the shortest man ever verified up to 2012, when he lost the title to Chandra Bahadur Dangi. 1957–1997
 Philippines 59.9 cm (23.6 in) Junrey Balawing Former shortest living man in the world, measuring 22.0 in (56.0 cm), verified by Guinness World Records in 2012.[3] Balawing became the world's shortest non mobile person following Chandra's death in September, 2015 until his own death in 2020.[4][5] 1993–2020
 Hungary 65 cm (26 in) István Tóth Shortest man claimant, was said to be 26 in (65 cm). Verification by Guinness World Records needs to be checked.[6][7] István died in May 2011 at the age of 48.[8] 1963–2011
 Iran 65.24 cm (25.69 in) Afshin Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh Ghaderzadeh beat Edward's record and was listed as World's Shortest Man Living (Mobile) by Guinness World Records in December 2022.[9] 2002–
   Nepal 67 cm (26 in) Khagendra Thapa Magar Khagendra was the shortest man in the world until 2011, when he became the'world's shortest mobile man. Guinness World Records has since made multiple categories for World's shortest....[10][5] Khagendra died in 2020. 1992–2020
 Taiwan 67.5 cm (26.6 in) Lin Yü-chih Yü-chih is listed as the World's shortest non-mobile man living, a title he has held non-consecutively since 2009.[11] 1972–
 Colombia 70.21 cm (27.64 in) Edward Niño Hernández Named the shortest man after Pingping died in March 2010, at 27.64 in (70.21 cm), but lost the title in October 2010 to Magar.[12] Edward re-gained the title of World's shortest mobile man living following Magar's death in 2020.[13] He was beaten by Ghaderzadeh in December 2022.[9] 1986–
   Nepal 73.43 cm (28.91 in) Dor Bahadur Khapangi Confirmed shortest living teenager (Male) by Guinness World Records.[14] 2004–
 China 74 cm (29 in) He Pingping Once officially verified as shortest living man (mobile) at 29 in (74 cm), until death in March 2010.[15] 1988–2010

Women

  Deceased   Living

Nationality Height Name Note Lifespan
 Netherlands 61 cm (24 in) Pauline Musters Recognised by the Guinness World Records as the shortest woman ever recorded.[16] 1878–1895
 India 62.8 cm (24.7 in) Jyoti Amge Recognized by the Guinness World Records as the World's Shortest Living Woman.[17] 1993–
 South Africa 65 cm (26 in) Madge Bester Former smallest living woman.[18] 1963–2018
 Mexico 68 cm (26.8 in) Lucía Zárate Zárate claimed in her lifetime that she was only 50.8 cm (20.0 in), and was exhibited for her small stature. This measurement has since been updated by Guinness World Records, who place her height at 68 cm (26.8 in).[19][20] 1864–1890
 United States 69 cm (27 in) Bridgette Jordan Former smallest living woman and one of the shortest living siblings according to Guinness World Records.[21][22] 1989–2019
 Turkey 72.6 cm (28.58 in) Elif Kocaman Former smallest living woman according to Guinness World Records.[11][23] 1989–

Shortest pairs

  Deceased   Living

Nationality Height Name Category Notes Lifespan
 Hungary 76 cm (30 in) Mike & Ike Matina Non identical twins Mike & Ike (born: Bela, and Matyus) Matina are the world's shortest non-identical twins at 30 inches each. They later became American citizens, and had a role in The Wizard of Oz as munchkins. Mike Matina died in 1954.[24] His brother's death is unknown due to a lack of sources. 1901–1954
1901–N/A
 United States 86.4 cm (34.0 in) Rice brothers Identical twins World's shortest identical twins (Greg Rice, John Rice) until 2005 with the death of John Rice.[25][26] 1951–2005
1951 – (Greg Rice)
 Brazil 90.3 cm (35.6 in)
91.1 cm (35.9 in)		 Paulo Gabriel Barros &
Katyucia Hoshino		 Married couple In 2016, Guinness World Records awarded the title of Shortest Married Couple to Paulo, and Katyucia from Brazil.[27] 1985–
1988–

Shortest by age group

  Deceased   Living

Nationality Height Name Category Notes Lifespan
 United States 24 cm (9.4 in)1 Nisa Juarez Baby Was born 108 days premature and weighed only 320 g (11.3 oz).[28][29] 2002–
 United States 53.3 cm (21.0 in)2 Francis Joseph Flynn Teenager[30] General Mite, was an American dwarf who performed as a showman at various competitions around the world. In 1884, Flynn married English little person, Millie Edwards, in England.[31] The wedding was widely publicized and attended. From then on, the couple were exhibited as the "Royal American Midgets" and "General and Mrs. Mite" in many advertisements.[32] 1864–1898
 United States 72.4 cm (28.5 in) Stacey Herald Mother3 Stacey gave birth to her first child on 21 October 2006, and later birthed two more children all of which were delivered by caesarean sections. She died on 11 September 2018.[33] 1974–2018
 Hungary 101.5 cm (40.0 in)[34] Susanna Bokoyni Longevity Bokoyni died at the age of 105, making her the oldest verified centenarian dwarf. During her lifetime she travelled with various circuses where she was a performer.[35] 1879–1984

^1 This was Nisa's baby height, she later grew.
^2 This was Francis Joseph Flynn's shortest height, because he grew in height after age 16; he is not listed as one of the world's shortest men.
^3 Filed under "Shortest woman to give birth".

Shortest by occupation

Actors

  Deceased   Living

Nationality Height Name Note Lifespan
 Dominican Republic 71 cm (28 in) Nelson de la Rosa Once recognized as the "world's shortest actor" and had a minor role in the 1996 film, The Island of Dr. Moreau.[36] 1968–2006
 India 76 cm (30 in) Ajay Kumar alias Pakru Malayalam comedy actor, in the Guinness Book of Records for being the shortest actor (2 ft 6 in (76 cm)) to play a main character in a full-length film.[37] He played the lead role in Athbhutha Dweepu, a Malayalam film directed by Vinayan, later dubbed in Tamil. 1974–
 United States 79 cm (31 in) Tamara De Treaux Shortest actress, noted for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and as an influence for the novel Maybe the Moon.[38][39] 1959–1990
 Philippines 83 cm (33 in) Weng Weng Filipino actor and martial artist who was the shortest actor to have lead roles.[40] 1957–1992
 United Kingdom 126.2 cm (49.7 in) Kiran Shah Shah is the world's shortest active stuntman.[41] 1956–

Artists and writers

  Deceased   Living

Nationality Height Name Note Lifespan
 England 137 cm (54 in) Alexander Pope English poet and satirist, never grew beyond 4 ft 6 in (137 cm).[42] 1688–1744
 France 142 cm (56 in) Édith Piaf French singer and actress, never grew beyond 4 ft 8 in (142 cm). Known for her small stature, born Édith Gassion, nicknamed Piaf, Parisian slang for "Little Sparrow"[43] 1915–1963

Athletes
See also: List of shortest players in National Basketball Association history

  Deceased   Living

Nationality Height Name Sport Note Lifespan
 India 84 cm (33 in) Aditya "Romeo" Dev Bodybuilding "World's Smallest Bodybuilder" at 2 ft. 9 in.[44] 1988–2012
 United States 109 cm (43 in) Eddie Gaedel Baseball Shortest to play in Major League Baseball.[45] This however was a publicity stunt and Gaedel only stood once at the plate. 1925–1961
 Canada 130 cm (51 in) Lionel Giroux Wrestling Also known as "Little Beaver". Shortest professional wrestler in the WWF at around 4'4".[46] 1935–1995
 United States 132 cm (52 in) Dylan Postl Wrestling Worlds shortest living professional wrestler.[47] 1986–
 United States 149 cm (59 in) Julie Krone Horse racing Shortest American jockey, stand 4 ft 10.5 in (149 cm).[47] 1963–
 England 152 cm (60 in) Tich Cornford Cricket Shortest ever international cricketer.[48] 1900–1964
 Australia 155 cm (61 in) Jim Bradford Australian rules football Shortest to play Australian rules football at the highest level.[49] 1926–2005
 United States 155 cm (61 in) Jack Shapiro American football Shortest professional player of American football, but only for one game.[50] 1907–2001
 United Kingdom 157 cm (62 in) Frederick Walden Association football Shortest player in England national football team history (5 ft 2 in (157 cm)).[51] 1888–1949
 United States 157 cm (62 in) Shannon Bobbitt Basketball Shortest to play in the Women's National Basketball Association.[47] 1985–
 United States 160 cm (63 in) Muggsy Bogues Basketball Shortest at 5 ft 3 in to play in the National Basketball Association.[52] 1965–
 Canada 160 cm (63 in) Roy Worters Ice hockey Shortest to play in the National Hockey League and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1969.[53] 1900–1957
 United States 165 cm (65 in) Trindon Holliday American football Holliday was formerly the shortest active player at 5 ft 5 in in the National Football League until 2015.[54] 1986–
 Venezuela 165 cm (65 in) José Altuve Baseball Shortest active player at 5 ft 5 in in Major League Baseball.[55] 1990–

Politicians

  Deceased   Living

Nationality Height Name Note Lifespan
 United States 114 cm (45 in) Charley Lockhart Shortest public official in America (at the time), when he was sworn in as Texas State Treasurer in 1931.[56][57] 1876–1954
 Mexico 137 cm (54 in) Benito Juárez Reportedly the shortest world leader to have height recorded. He was reportedly 4 ft 6 in or 1.37 meters[58] 1806–1872
 Italy 153 cm (60 in) Victor Emmanuel III of Italy Shortest king of Italy. 1869–1947
 Italy 154 cm (61 in)[59] Renato Brunetta Italian politician and former Minister 1950–
 United States 163 cm (64 in) James Madison Shortest US president at 5 ft 4 in or 1.63 m.[60][61] 1751–1836
 Philippines 150 cm (59 in) Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Shortest Philippine President at 4 ft 11 in or 1.50 m.[62] 1947–
Northern Ireland 160 cm (63 in)[63] Robin Swann Minister of Health (2020–)[64] 1971–
 Japan 124 cm (49 in) Tokugawa Tsunayoshi His spirit tablet in Daiju-ji is shortest of all Tokugawa shōguns whose spirit tablets are made same tall as their own body.[65] 1646–1709
 Japan 154.4 cm (60.8 in) Tokugawa Ieyoshi Shortest shōgun whose remains are excavated.[66] His spirit tablet is 1.535 meters tall. 1793–1853

Others

  Deceased   Living

Nationality Height Name Occupation Note Lifespan
 France 58 cm (23 in) Richebourg Spy Richebourg was a secret agent during the French Revolution, who disguised himself as an infant to pass information along.[67] 1768-1858
 United States 152 cm (60 in) Nancy J. Currie-Gregg Astronaut Currie became the shortest person in space when she flew in July 1993 as a Mission specialist on STS-57.[68] 1958-

See also

References
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