'World's tallest woman' Maria Feliciana dos Santos dies aged 77 after 7ft3 former singer and basketball player shot to fame as 'Queen of Height'

One of the tallest women in the world, a basketball player who shot to fame as the 'Queen of Height' in the 60s has died in hospital aged 77.

Record-breaking Maria Feliciana dos Santos, from Brazil, grew to the astonishing height of 7ft3.8in in her early twenties. 

Relatives of Santos confirmed her death overnight, claiming she had passed away at a private hospital in Aracaju, where she had been staying since Monday after being diagnosed with pneumonia.

The pensioner, who had been battling health problems for years, became a household name in her native country after transforming from a normal 10-year-old to becoming Brazil's tallest woman with an incredible period of growth during her late teens.

Born in Amparo do São Francisco, Santos toured several cities performing in circuses before winning the 'Queen of Height' contest in the 60s.

Maria Feliciana dos Santos, from Brazil, was regarded as one of the world's tallest woman, standing at an astonishing 7ft3in

She passed away at a private hospital on Friday, aged 77, her family revealed. Following her death, the mayor of her home town Aracaju, Edvaldo Nogueira, decreed three days of mourning 

A skyscraper in Aracaju, which was the highest in the city when it opened in 1970, became widely known as the Maria Feliciana building

Throughout her long life, her name was also immortalised when the Estado de Sergipe building, a 28-storey skyscraper in Aracaju which became the highest in the city when it opened in 1970, became popularly known as the Maria Feliciana building.

In May 2022, the woman was honoured by the Museu de Gente Sergipana with a statue of her at the entrance to the site. 

For many years Santos is believed to have been considered the world's tallest woman before she started shrinking in later life. 

Following her sudden death, the mayor of Aracaju, Edvaldo Nogueira, decreed three days of mourning in the capital and paid tribute to the former singer. 

'It was with sadness that I received the news of the death of Maria Feliciana from Sergipe. One of the tallest women in the world [..] I remember the first time I saw Maria Feliciana, I was still a child,' he recalled.

'Her presence caused a lot of movement. My condolences to family, friends and admirers! May God comfort their hearts.'

The Governor of Sergipe, Fábio Mitidieri, also shared his thoughts on the tragic death.  

'I receive with regret the news of the death of Maria Feliciana dos Santos. [..]. Maria Feliciana left a remarkable legacy, having her name immortalised in the largest building in our state,' he said.

'She took the name of Sergipe and our popular culture to Brazil and is represented in the Museu da Gente Sergipana, a space dedicated to our identity. My condolences to family and friends in this moment of pain'.

Senator Laércio Oliveira added: 'More than queen, Maria Feliciana is one of the symbols of Sergipe's perseverance. 

'She made her height a brand that took the name of our state to Brazil and other countries. A woman who will be missed, but always remembered for her affectionate nickname, the name of our tallest building and her performance on the basketball courts'.

A statue of the Brazilian singer and basketball player was erected outside the Museu de Gente Sergipana

Santos became an attraction in during her teens and early twenties at shows and circuses, where a singer and radio presenter who took her under his wing performed.

She put her travelling on hold after marrying Assuires Jose dos Santos in 1973 when she was 27. 

Santos then went on to have three children with him, two sons who grew to nearly 7ft and a daughter.

For the past 15 years of her life she was in a wheelchair and largely house-bound.

Maria Feliciana's funeral is due to take place this afternoon following an overnight wake.    

Her father Antonio Tintino da Silva grew to the astonishing height of 7ft8.7in and her paternal grandfather was 7ft5.4in tall.

Turkey's Rumeysa Gelgi, the world's tallest woman living right now, has a height of 7ft0.71in.