The last of the OLD WORLD GIANTS. 8 Georges Jean Kieffer the Giant of Obermodern

The man in the image is Georges Jean Kieffer (1912–1946), often referred to as the "Giant of Obermodern." He was an Alsatian man who became famous for his extraordinary height, eventually reaching 2.42 meters (approximately 7 feet 11 inches).

Key Facts About Georges Kieffer:
Early Life: Born in Metz, he grew up in the Alsace region. At age 14, he was of average height, but he experienced a dramatic growth spurt in his early 20s, which doctors at the time attributed to a knee injury caused by a fall.

Wartime History: During World War II, his immense size saved him from forced conscription into the Wehrmacht. He eventually became a well-known figure within the French Forces of the Interior (FFI) and was celebrated by Allied soldiers as the "tallest prisoner of war."

Physical Details: Kieffer wore a size 64 shoe and required custom-made clothing, bicycles, and even a 2.50-meter-long bed.

Legacy: In 1937, he was officially awarded the title of "tallest man in the world" at the Paris Fair. He is frequently depicted in vintage postcards alongside soldiers of average height to highlight his imposing stature.

Georges Jean Kieffer died on August 26, 1946, in his hometown of Obermodern, Alsace.

While many official records simply list his date of death at age 33, his health had severely declined following the German occupation.

Factors Contributing to His Death
Malnutrition & Weight Loss: During the war, the Nazis reportedly deprived him of rationing tickets because of his refusal to cooperate with them. He lost significant weight, dropping from roughly 138 kg to 127 kg by March 1945.

Physical Strain of Gigantism: Like many individuals with his condition (often attributed at the time to a pituitary issue triggered by a childhood injury), his heart and organs faced immense strain supporting his 7'11" (2.42m) frame.

General Exhaustion: After the liberation, during which he was celebrated as a hero of the French Resistance (FFI), his body was in a state of extreme exhaustion from which he never fully recovered.

A Legacy of ResistanceKieffer is remembered not just for his size, but for his courage. He famously used his height as a medical excuse to avoid conscription into the Nazi Wehrmacht, and he spent the later years of the war actively supporting the Allied Forces.