Robert Earl Hughes

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Robert Earl Hughes (4 June 1926 – 10 July 1958) was, during his lifetime, the heaviest human being recorded in the history of the world.[1]

Hughes was born in Baylis, Illinois, in 1926. At the age of six, he weighed about 92 kilograms (203 lb);[2] at ten, he weighed 171 kilograms (377 lb). His excessive weight was attributed to a malfunctioning pituitary gland.[3] His chest was measured at 3.15 metres (10.3 ft), and he weighed an estimated 486 kilograms (1,071 lb) at his heaviest.[1]

During his adult life, Hughes made guest appearances at carnivals and fairs; plans to appear on the Ed Sullivan television program were announced but never came about.[3] On July 10, 1958, Hughes contracted a case of measles,[2] which soon developed into uremia,[2] resulting in his death in Bremen, Indiana,[4] United States; he was 32 years old.[2]

He is often said to have been buried in a piano case. This error stems from a sentence that appeared in successive editions of the Guinness Book of World Records, which read, "He was buried in a coffin the size of a piano case." His headstone notes that he was the world's heaviest man at a confirmed 1,041 pounds (472 kg).[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Robert Hughes" - Brainy History
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Biography" - Find a Grave
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "World's Heaviest Man: The last chapter of Robert Earl Hughes' remarkable life" - Washington Times Reporter
  4. ↑ Obituary - Bremen Enquirer

External links

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