The Woman With the Longest Legs in the World

By: Chris Gorrie | Published: Mar 24, 2024

Ekaterina Lisina exists in the realm of extraordinary human anatomy. She stands tall as the Guinness World Record holder for the longest legs among women.

Born on October 15, 1987, in Penza, Russia, Lisina’s remarkable physique was evident from birth, with her legs noticeably longer than average. Hailing from a family of towering individuals, including a 6’6″ brother and a 6’5″ father, Lisina’s genetics predisposed her to stand out in stature.

Lisina’s Towering Statue Lent Itself to a Basketball Career

Lisina’s journey to recognition began early, driven by her inherent advantage in height.

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Lisina in basketball clothing on a basketball court during a game in 2012.

Sergeev Pavel/Wikimedia Commons

Excelling in basketball from a young age, her towering frame proved advantageous on the court, propelling her to a successful career in the sport. By the age of 16, Lisina had already reached a towering height of 6’6″, paving the way for her professional basketball career and eventual representation of her country at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Lisina’s Athletic Career

During her adolescence, Lisina experienced a rapid growth spurt fueled by puberty, leading her to recognize her potential on the basketball court. Opting for a jersey over the catwalk, her decision proved astute. 

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The flame burning atop of Beijing National Stadium during the 2008 Olympic Summer Games.

东林/Wikimedia Commons

Lisina’s inclusion in the Russian national basketball team wasn’t solely due to her towering height; her proficiency in the sport was equally remarkable. In 2006, she contributed to the silver medal-winning team at the World Cup in Germany. Two years later, she secured a spot on the Olympic bronze medal team.

She Became a Model After Playing Basketball

Beyond her athletic pursuits, Lisina’s remarkable height also opened doors in the modeling industry.

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Lisina modeling. She is wearing stiletto heels and ironing a tablecloth on an ironing board.

@ekaterina_lisina15/Instagram

Embracing her unique physical attributes, she transitioned from sports to fashion, leveraging her towering stature to carve out a niche for herself as a professional model.

She was Initially Uncertain About Her Looks

Despite initial uncertainties about her appearance, Lisina eventually embraced her striking features, recognizing the allure of her tall, athletic physique.

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Black-and-white photo of Lisina smiling and holding copies of the Guinness Book of World Records in Russian.

mitry Rozhkov/Wikimedia Commons

“I only really realized I was attractive when I was about 24 years old,” Lisina says. “I always had an athletic body and was always much taller than everyone else my age, but then I realized that being tall is very attractive.”

The Challenges of a Very Tall Woman

Throughout her journey, Lisina has faced challenges associated with her exceptional height, from navigating social interactions to finding clothing that fits comfortably.

Black-and-white photo of a girl with her back turned to the viewer who has a napkin taped to her back. Various insults and bullying remarks are written on the napkin.

Ilayza/Unsplash

When she was younger, she was the target of bullies due to her unusual stature. Lisina later sought out a Guinness World Record title as a way of turning those past experiences into something positive.

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Enshrined in the Guiness Book of World Records

Being enshrined in the Guinness Book of World Records for her exceptionally long legs was a shining moment of triumph for Lisina.

A collage of Guinness World Records holders surrounding the official Guinness World Records logo.

Aliasgarilemjiri/Wikimedia Commons

Her leg measurements are very impressive, coming in at 52.3 inches on the left and 52 inches on the right.

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Inspiring Confidence in Young Girls

For Lisina, achieving Guinness World Records serves a deeper purpose beyond personal recognition

A group of teenage girls pose for a photo together.

leah hetteberg/Unsplash

 With a desire to inspire confidence in others, particularly young girls, she hopes to serve as a role model for those who may struggle with self-assurance. Lisina’s resilience in the face of adversity, coupled with her unwavering determination to pursue her dreams, exemplifies the power of self-belief and perseverance.

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Lisina Embraces Her Unique Identity

Despite the challenges posed by her towering stature, Lisina has embraced her unique identity and continues to captivate audiences with her achievements.

Lisina sitting on a Russian talk show. This photo shows her from the torso up.

putnik/Wikimedia Commons

With over 1.2 million followers on Instagram, she remains a prominent figure in both sports and fashion, symbolizing the triumph of individuality and self-expression.

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Cosplaying as Lady Dimitrescu

Lisina delves into cosplay, embodying characters like Lady Dimitrescu from Resident Evil Village. Her cosplay of this character has been praised as extremely accurate.

Ekaterina Lisina cosplaying as Lady Dimitrescu from Resident Evil.

@ekaterina_lisina15/Instagram

To complete the look, Lisina needed the help of a team, with the dress made by osqurobviously, hair and makeup by beautybyblas, photos by nikolayshlykov, photo editing by shotbyshepherd and assistance by lugovskav and themushroomxiii.

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Lisina’s Adoption of Hinduism

Lisina spent a considerable amount of time seeking alternatives to Islam and Christianity. Her journey led her to India, where she visited a Hindu temple that deeply resonated with her. 

The Prambanan temple complex in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. A massive Hindu structure.

CEphoto, Uwe Aranas/Wikimedia Commons

Influenced by its philosophy of goddess worship, she became a devout follower of Goddess Lakshmi, regularly visiting Hindu temples. Since then, she has abstained from eating meat and incorporates daily meditation into her routine. Embracing Hinduism has brought her profound happiness and fulfillment.

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Ekaterina Lisina is an Example of Latent Potential

Ekaterina Lisina’s story is a testament to the extraordinary potential inherent in every individual, regardless of physical stature.

A person stands on a beach facing the water with arms outstretched during a colorful sunset.

Mohamed Nohassi/Unsplash

From Olympic success to modeling accolades and the Guiness World Record, her journey serves as an inspiration to all who dare to reach new heights and defy conventional expectations.

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