This is Maria Fassnauer, or Maria Faßnauer, born 28 February 1879 in Ridnaun (South Tyrol) and died 4 December 1917, she was known as the Giantess of Tirol (Tiroler Riesin) and was (probably) the tallest woman in the world in her time.
Maria and her parents
These statues are shown in the South Tyrol Museum of Mining - Mining World Ridnaun Schneeberg - Ridnaun / Ridanna.
If you are interested, you can see more pictures and read old newspaper articles here.
9 comments:
Das muss schwierig gewesen sein.
Ach, die arme Frau! The linked article is very sad too.
I'd like to see the mining museum, however.
A fascinating post, Karl! I've never heard of the woman, but she was huge. One wonders what happened to make her that way. I'm sure she would have preferred to be more "normal."
I wonder if she liked being known as the "Giantess". I'm not sure that's a term most women would find flattering.
I agree with Dina, that article is a bit sad. I'm sure she went through some very hurtful times when she was alive. Such an interesting story.
I think it is sad to be remembered only for one's size...
You do wonder how someone gets that tall. That kind of height brings with it many a difficulty, even today.
Oh Karl what a very sad life she had, gosh as if it wasn't bad enough being so tall!
p.s. sorry I sent you into a spin with my shots yesterday :)
I read the article in the link you posted. What a sad, lonely life. It is unimaginable how difficult it would have been for a 7'3" woman at that time. I am a 6'6" man a century later, and there are occasionally difficulties because of my height (although there are many more advantages!). In her time, and with her background as a simple farm girl, it would have been horrible.
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