The Tragic Real-Life Story Behind The Biggest Baby Ever Born

Anna Haining Bates was born in 1846, according to the Halifax Examiner. By the time she was a teenager, she was much taller than anyone would have expected, according to The Vintage News. Standing a staggering 7-feet-11-inches tall, Bates was much taller than the average woman of the time who, in the late 1800s, stood at less than 5 feet, according to Our World in Data. She was also taller than most men, who at the time, stood at less than 5-feet-4-inches tall, a full 2.5 feet shorter than Bates.

After some time seeking out a career as an actor, Anna eventually joined the circus, where she performed as a giantess, per the Guinness Book of World Records. It was there that she met her soon-to-be husband, Martin Van Buren Bates. Martin, a former soldier, was also tall, though he didn't stand quite as high as Anna. He and his future wife performed together as a giant couple. They were married in a famous ceremony in England, according to AZ Animals, and soon decided to start a family together, according to The Vintage News.

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