World's Tallest Woman: My Shocking Story

World's Tallest Woman: My Shocking Story info

With size 26 feet, Yao de Fen makes an impression. At 7ft 7 inches, it’s an impression you’ll never forget. And this touching tale of a woman yearning for love and a normal life deeply affected the Discovery audience.

But it also touched a doctor who was in the audience of a freak show in which Yao was forced to work. She could no longer work with her family in the fields, and they could no longer afford to feed her.

His diagnosis was a brain tumour affecting her growth hormones. After a tricky operation, there was some success. Yao continues to grow – but at a vastly reduced rate.

Her family has had to stop Yao working in their fields. At over 24 stones in weight, they were worried if she fell, they wouldn’t be able to pick her back up.
Tragically, when she was 7, a local doctor correctly diagnosed her condition. The operation to stop her unbelievable growth cost 4000 yuan (£268) – but the family could not afford it.
When a Shanghai hospital heard discovery was making a film about her, they agreed to operate for free.
Ostracised from her community, Yao has never learned to read or write. She spends 20 hours a day in bed, and the rest of the time knitting her own clothes.

World's Tallest Woman: My Shocking Story