Anna Haining Bates, born on August 6, 1846, in Mill Brook, Nova Scotia, is remembered not only for her remarkable height but also for her extraordinary life alongside her equally towering husband, Martin Van Buren Bates. Standing at an astounding 7 feet 11 inches, Anna was one of the tallest women in recorded history. Her life was one of curiosity, tragedy, and love, as she defied societal norms and became a beloved figure in the public eye.
Early Life and Extraordinary Growth
Anna’s unusual growth began in childhood, with her parents, regular-sized Scottish immigrants, noticing she was growing at a rapid pace by the age of 5. By her early teens, she had surpassed 6 feet tall. By her 20s, she had reached her final height of nearly 8 feet. Her family did their best to provide a normal upbringing, but it became increasingly difficult due to the fascination her size provoked in the local community and beyond.
Recognizing both the challenges and the opportunities that came with her stature, Anna eventually joined the touring world of showmanship. In the mid-19th century, exhibitions featuring extraordinary people were immensely popular, and Anna became a star in P.T. Barnum’s circus. Her graceful demeanor, intelligence, and striking height captivated audiences around the United States and Europe.
Despite being displayed as a curiosity, Anna was never reduced to mere spectacle—she often insisted on maintaining her dignity and intellect, even as she stood under the spotlight.
Meeting Martin Van Buren Bates: A Love Match of Giants
It was during her time with the circus that Anna met Martin Van Buren Bates, a man with a similarly extraordinary stature. Martin, born in Kentucky in 1837, stood at 7 feet 9 inches. He had served in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, where his imposing size earned him the nickname “The Kentucky Giant.” After the war, like Anna, he had found a place in show business, capitalizing on his unusual height.
The two were drawn to one another, not only for their shared experiences of living life as giants but also for their mutual understanding of the isolation and public attention that came with their extraordinary size. They began a courtship that was, unsurprisingly, a sensation for the public. When they married on June 17, 1871, in London, their wedding drew massive crowds and was reported worldwide. P.T. Barnum even funded a lavish wedding gown for Anna to wear, further adding to the spectacle.
A Family and the Tragedy of Loss
After their marriage, Anna and Martin lived in Seville, Ohio, where they built a custom home with ceilings and doorways tailored to their immense heights. Despite their fame, they sought a life of quiet domesticity, raising livestock and enjoying a more private life than they had on tour.
The couple desired children but faced tragedy in their attempts. Anna gave birth to two children, both of whom died young due to complications likely related to their parents’ sizes. Their first child, born in 1872, weighed a staggering 18 pounds and only survived for a few hours. Their second child, born in 1879, weighed 23 pounds and measured 30 inches long at birth but tragically passed away after just 11 hours. Despite the heartbreak, Anna and Martin remained a devoted couple and continued their life together.
Later Years and Legacy
Anna’s life was cut short when she died unexpectedly on August 5, 1888, just one day before her 42nd birthday. Her death marked the end of one of the most extraordinary lives of the 19th century. Her husband, Martin, survived her by more than 30 years and continued to live in their custom-built home until his death in 1919.
The story of Anna Haining Bates and her husband, Martin Van Buren Bates, is not just a tale of physical magnitude but of emotional resilience, mutual understanding, and love. Their story has endured as one of the most unique love stories in history, where two literal giants found companionship and purpose together, standing tall in the face of both public fascination and personal tragedy. Today, they are remembered not only for their size but for the remarkable grace and dignity with which they lived.
Credit – Original owner
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