The Trapp family of Minnesota first secured their Guinness World Record title in 2020 — a recognition that set them apart in a truly extraordinary way.
The world’s tallest family has now spoken openly about the real-life difficulties that come with their remarkable height. While many might admire their towering statures, the Trapps admit that their extraordinary size also brings pain, inconvenience, and everyday challenges that most people never consider.
Guinness World Records currently maintains more than 65,000 official records, covering everything from intense athletic feats to unusual achievements like cultivating the heaviest blueberry or engineering the smallest humanoid robot. But in December 2020, the Trapp family from Esko, Minnesota, added a rare and remarkable accomplishment to that massive list — earning the title of the tallest family on the planet.
Scott, Krissy, Savanna, Molly, and Adam Trapp together hold an average height of 203.29 cm — about 6 feet 8 inches — officially making them the tallest family ever documented by Guinness World Records.
The Trapp siblings — Adam, Molly, and Savanna — have long used their height to their benefit. All three were active in sports growing up, with several recruited to play basketball or volleyball at competitive college levels.
Adam stands above everyone, reaching an astonishing 221.71 cm (7ft 3in). Savanna follows at 203.6 cm (6ft 8in), while Molly measures 197.26 cm (6ft 6in).
Their mother, Krissy, is the shortest at 191.2 cm (6ft 3in), while their father, Scott, stands at 202.7 cm (6ft 8in). And though they’ve embraced their height, the family says life at such a scale isn’t always simple.
Everyday tasks — like finding clothes that fit or passing through a doorway — often become obstacles.
“The growing pains were unreal. I have stretch marks on the back of my legs,” Savanna said, recalling the physical strain of growing so rapidly.
She also explained that getting up too fast can leave her dizzy or even cause her to faint — a side effect she has learned to manage over time.
The Trapps told Guinness World Records that they regularly have to duck under standard doorframes, and even routine shopping trips can turn into “frustrating” experiences, since most stores don’t carry clothing suited to their proportions.
Driving presents another challenge. The family noted that their long legs often make sitting behind the wheel extremely difficult without adjustments or custom vehicle modifications.
Despite these obstacles, the Trapps choose to view their record-breaking height as something to celebrate. They’ve embraced it as part of their identity and hope it inspires others to appreciate what makes them unique.
In April 2022, Molly said that she hopes to pass her family’s rare genetics to her future children, carrying on the Trapp legacy. Meanwhile, Savanna is aiming for a career in acting or modeling — and even dreams of earning another world record someday. She revealed her hope of challenging the Guinness World Record for the largest hands on a living woman, proving that her ambitions stand as tall as she does.
At present, that record belongs to Rumeysa Gelgi, whose right hand measures 24.93 cm (9.81 in) and left hand measures 24.26 cm (9.55 in). Guinness verified her title in February 2022, setting a formidable benchmark for future challengers.
For anyone who believes they might hold a record-worthy talent or feature — whether it’s height, strength, or something completely unusual — Guinness World Records encourages submissions. The application process starts online, with each claim reviewed carefully before any title is granted.
Because the organization receives thousands of applications annually, processing a standard request can take up to 12 weeks, with an additional 12 weeks sometimes needed to verify supporting evidence.
So, if you suspect your own family might surpass the Trapps in height, you’ll need patience — and probably a measuring tape — before finding out.
