An Extraordinary Birth
On January 18, 1879, Anna Haining Bates gave birth to a son in Seville, Ohio. Anna, nearly 8 feet tall, was married to Martin Van Buren Bates, known as the “Kentucky Giant.” The couple, both celebrated for their size, had previously lost a daughter at birth. This second child would make history.
A World Record Weight
The boy was born weighing 22 pounds (10 kg) and measured 28 inches (about 72 cm) in length. Each of his feet measured six inches long. He is the heaviest and longest newborn ever recorded. His father described him as appearing like a healthy six-month-old infant at birth.
A Brief Life
Despite his enormous size and reportedly normal appearance, the baby survived only 11 hours. He was named simply “Babe.” The exact cause of death was not documented.
Aftermath
“Babe” was posthumously recognized by Guinness World Records for his unprecedented birth measurements. Anna and Martin returned to quiet life in Ohio after touring with circuses. Their extraordinary child remains a recorded medical marvel.
In 1879, Anna Bates, nearly 8 feet tall and known across the world for her height, gave birth to one of the most extraordinary infants ever recorded.
Her husband Martin, also a giant, stood by as their newborn son stunned the world by setting multiple size records. pic.twitter.com/WvkvsDdJj9
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) May 15, 2025