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{{Short description|World's heaviest person without walking assistance}}
{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
| name = Robert Earl Hughes | name = Robert Earl Hughes
| image = | image =
| caption = | caption =
| birth_date = June 4, 1926 | birth_date = June 4, 1926
| birth_place = ], US | birth_place = ], US
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1958|07|10|1926|06|04}} | death_date = July 10, 1958 (aged 32)
| death_place = | death_place = ], US
| nationality = American | occupation = Entertainer and sideshow performer
| occupation = Entertainer and Sideshow performer
| known_for = The heaviest human to walk unassisted, The heaviest human in the world during his lifetime | known_for = The heaviest human to walk unassisted, The heaviest human in the world during his lifetime
}} }}


'''Robert Earl Hughes''' (June 4, 1926 – July 10, 1958) was an American man who was, during his lifetime, the heaviest human being recorded and remains the heaviest human in the world able to walk without the need of any assistance, weighing {{convert|486|kg|lbs}}. <ref>https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2001/Heavy/</ref> '''Robert Earl Hughes''' (June 4, 1926 – July 10, 1958) was an American man who was, during his lifetime, the heaviest human being recorded, weighing {{convert|1071|lbs}}.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kurson |first=Robert |date=2021-06-03 |title=Heavy |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2001/Heavy/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Chicago Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> He remains the heaviest human in the world able to walk without the need of assistance.


==Early life and family== ==Early life and family==
Robert Earl Hughes was born in ], ], the son of Abraham Guy Hughes (1878–1957) and Georgia Alice Weatharby (1906–1947). He was born a large baby at birth, "weighing a hefty but not abnormal" {{cvt|11|lb|4|oz}}<ref name="hwhig2007">{{cite news|last=Gertz Husar|first=Deborah|url=https://www.whig.com/article/20070612/ARTICLE/306129970|title=Robert Earl Hughes was a gentle giant|date=June 12, 2007|work=The Herald-Whig|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref><ref name= Life>{{cite magazine| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=hk0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA81&dq=%22Robert+Earl+Hughes%22&lr=&ei=LhWrS968MITylQTGl5CmDQ&cd=12#v=onepage&q=%22Robert%20Earl%20Hughes%22&f=false |title= 710 Pound Youth |work= ]| date= 1946-10-07| via= Google Books| access-date= 2020-02-05| pages= 81–82, 84}}</ref> and was a "fairly average-size baby until he contracted ] when he was about five months old."<ref name= FH>{{cite web| url= http://exploringillinois.blogspot.com/2010/02/biggest-man-in-fishhook-il-ever.html| work= Exploring Illinois| first= Rich| last= Moreno| date= 2010-02-04| title= The Biggest Man in Fishhook, IL. Ever.| via= blogspot.com| access-date= 2020-02-05}}</ref> The whooping cough was believed to be involved in his extraordinary condition. The family moved to ], when Robert was six months old.<ref name= hwhig2007 /> He had two younger brothers, Guy B. Hughes (1927–2006) and Donald Hughes (1929–2012). Robert Hughes was born in ], the son of Abraham Guy Hughes (1878–1957) and Georgia Alice Weatharby (1906–1947). He was born "weighing a hefty but not abnormal" {{convert|11|lb|4|oz}}<ref name="hwhig2007">{{cite news|last=Gertz Husar|first=Deborah|url=https://www.whig.com/article/20070612/ARTICLE/306129970|title=Robert Earl Hughes was a gentle giant|date=June 12, 2007|work=The Herald-Whig|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref><ref name= Life>{{cite magazine| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=hk0EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Robert+Earl+Hughes%22&pg=PA81 |title= 710 Pound Youth |magazine= ]| date= 1946-10-07| via= Google Books| access-date= 2020-02-05| pages= 81–82, 84}}</ref> and was a "fairly average-size baby until he contracted ] at about five months old."<ref name= FH>{{cite web| url= http://exploringillinois.blogspot.com/2010/02/biggest-man-in-fishhook-il-ever.html| work= Exploring Illinois| first= Rich| last= Moreno| date= 2010-02-04| title= The Biggest Man in Fishhook, IL. Ever.| via= blogspot.com| access-date= 2020-02-05}}</ref>


The family moved to ], when Robert was six months old.<ref name= hwhig2007 />
==Condition==
During his lifetime he was the heaviest human on earth; unlike most people his weight, he was not bed-bound and still holds to this day a record of the heaviest human to walk. Hughes' excessive weight was attributed to a ruptured thyroid gland. His chest was measured at 3.15 metres (10.3&nbsp;ft), and posessed a peak weight of 486&nbsp;kg (1071&nbsp;lbs)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Robert Earl Hughes (1926-1958) - Find A Grave...|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7051577/robert-earl-hughes|access-date=2020-06-19|website=www.findagrave.com|language=en}}</ref> at his heaviest. At the age of six, he weighed 175&nbsp;lbs, at ten he weighed 380&nbsp;lbs.


⚫ ==Career==
He was so extremely mobile to the extent that in 1944 he was drafted into the army at the age of 18 years old. He weighed 709lbs (321.6kg; 50 stone). And he spent an average of 21 months in the army before being drafted out.<ref>Ripleys Believe it or not</ref>
⚫ Hughes made some income from selling photographs of himself.<ref name= hwhig2007 /> During his adult life, Hughes made guest appearances at carnivals and fairs.<ref name= FH /> At age 27,<ref name= look>{{cite news| url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aOorAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aWcFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1140,1102476&dq=robert-earl-hughes&hl=en |title= It's All in How You Look at It| work= ]| date= 1966-07-13 | via= Google News | access-date= 2020-02-05}}</ref> he joined a traveling roadshow, often accompanied by some of his family.<ref name= hwhig2007 /> Plans to appear on '']'' ] television program were announced but never materialized.<ref name="Reporter">{{cite news |last=Luciano |first=Phil |title=World's Heaviest Man: The last chapter of Robert Earl Hughes' remarkable life |work=Washington Times Reporter |url=http://www.washingtontimesreporter.com/state_news/x688587697 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304152514/http://www.washingtontimesreporter.com/state_news/x688587697 |archive-date=March 4, 2012}}</ref>


⚫ In 1957, traveling with his brother Guy and Guy's wife Lillian, Hughes had bookings throughout the country. Walking, even with his massive cane, had started to be difficult for the 31-year-old. While at a carnival, word reached Hughes that his father had died at age 79 back in Illinois. Guy and Lillian returned to Illinois for the funeral, but Robert stayed on, believing it was his duty to honour his commitments. At season's end, he returned to Guy's farm, unable to walk more than {{convert|20|ft}} without the assistance of family members, who would follow closely, lugging a {{convert|5|ft|adj=on|spell=in}} wide, steel-reinforced chair in case of exhaustion.<ref name=":0" />
Several vintage newspapers from 1956 noted that Robert Earl Hughes at 30 years old, was weighed in at 1,041&nbsp;lbs "Nobody thought to take his measurements at his latest weighing. But at 946 pounds, Hughes' waist was an unbelievable 115 inches".

⚫ During his adult life, Hughes made guest appearances at carnivals and fairs; plans to appear on the Ed Sullivan television program were announced but was never done due to his death. In 1957, now traveling with Guy and Lillian, Robert Earl honored bookings throughout the country. Walking, even with his massive cane, had started to become difficult for the 31-year-old. Word reached the carnival that Abe Hughes, Robert Earl's father, had died at age 79. Guy and Lillian returned to Illinois for the funeral, but Robert Earl stayed on, believing it his duty to honor his commitments. At season's end, he returned to Guy's farm, unable to walk more than 20&nbsp;ft without the assistance of family, who would follow closely, lugging a 5-foot-wide, steel-reinforced chair in case of tiredness.

On July 10, 1958, Hughes contracted a case of measles, which soon developed into uremia, resulting in his death. He was 32 years old at the weight of 472&nbsp;kg (1041&nbsp;lbs) 74.3 stone.

He is often said to have been buried in a piano case. This error stems from a sentence that appeared in successive editions of the Guinness Book of World Records, which read, "He was buried in a coffin the size of a piano case." His headstone notes that he was the world's heaviest man at a confirmed 1041 pounds (472&nbsp;kg).

⚫ ==Career==
⚫ Some income was made from selling photographs of himself.<ref name= hwhig2007 /> During his adult life, Hughes made guest appearances at carnivals and fairs.<ref name= FH /> At age 27,<ref name= look>{{cite news| url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aOorAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aWcFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1140,1102476&dq=robert-earl-hughes&hl=en |title= It's All in How You Look at It| work= ]| date= 1966-07-13 | via= Google News | access-date= 2020-02-05}}</ref> he joined a traveling roadshow, often accompanied by some of his family.<ref name= hwhig2007 /> Plans to appear on '']'' ] television program were announced but never materialized.<ref name="Reporter">{{cite news|last=Luciano|first=Phil|url=http://www.washingtontimesreporter.com/state_news/x688587697|title=World's Heaviest Man: The last chapter of Robert Earl Hughes' remarkable life|work=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304152514/http://www.washingtontimesreporter.com/state_news/x688587697|archive-date=March 4, 2012}}</ref>


==Death== ==Death==
In 1958, Hughes contracted a case of ], possibly from his nieces.<ref name= "Reporter" /> While traveling with the roadshow, he developed a rash in July in ], his fingernails had turned dark blue, and he finally sought medical attention.<ref name= "Reporter" /> He developed ].<ref name= hwhig2007 /> Unable to be treated at the nearest hospital in ], doctors came to him at his trailer.<ref name= "Reporter" /> However, they were unable to save him. At death, Hughes weighed over half a ton. While traveling with the roadshow in ], Hughes developed a rash, and the flesh under his fingernails turned blue. Because he was unable to be moved to the nearest hospital in ], doctors treated him at his trailer, and determined he was suffering from ].<ref name= "Reporter" /> He developed ].<ref name= hwhig2007 />


He was buried in a small church cemetery in ]<ref name= look /> in ] near his hometown, Fishhook.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?type=doSearchFlight&token=%3C%3Fphp+echo+%24token%3B+%3F%3E&isRound=1&place1=Fishhook%2C+IL&place2=Benville%2C+IL| work= How Far Is It? Distance Server| title= Fishhook, Illinois to Benville, Illinois| access-date= 2020-02-05}}</ref> About 2,000 people attended the funeral.<ref name= "Reporter" /> He died on July 10, 1958, at the age of 32. He was buried in a small church cemetery in ],<ref name= look /> in ] near his hometown, Fishhook.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?type=doSearchFlight&token=%3C%3Fphp+echo+%24token%3B+%3F%3E&isRound=1&place1=Fishhook%2C+IL&place2=Benville%2C+IL| work= How Far Is It? Distance Server| title= Fishhook, Illinois to Benville, Illinois| access-date= 2020-02-05}}</ref> About 2,000 people attended the funeral.<ref name= "Reporter" />


==See also== ==See also==
* ] * ]
* ]


==References==
==Additional reading==
⚫ {{reflist}}
⚫ *{{cite book| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=4CXVGwAACAAJ |title= Big Heart: Remembering Robert Earl Hughes, 1926-1958| others= Issue 8 of Moshassuck monograph series| first= Kenneth W. |last= Faig| publisher= Moshassuck Press| year= 2001| via= Google Books}}


== References == ==Further reading==
⚫ * {{cite book| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=4CXVGwAACAAJ |title= Big Heart: Remembering Robert Earl Hughes, 1926-1958| others= Issue 8 of Moshassuck monograph series| first= Kenneth W. |last= Faig| publisher= Moshassuck Press| year= 2001| via= Google Books}}
⚫ {{reflist}}

{{Authority control}} {{authority control}}
{{portal bar|Biography|United States|Modern history}}


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Latest revision as of 05:02, 21 November 2024

World's heaviest person without walking assistance
Robert Earl Hughes
BornJune 4, 1926
Monticello, Missouri, US
DiedJuly 10, 1958 (aged 32)
Bremen, Indiana, US
Occupation(s)Entertainer and sideshow performer
Known forThe heaviest human to walk unassisted, The heaviest human in the world during his lifetime

Robert Earl Hughes (June 4, 1926 – July 10, 1958) was an American man who was, during his lifetime, the heaviest human being recorded, weighing 1,071 pounds (486 kg). He remains the heaviest human in the world able to walk without the need of assistance.

Early life and family

Robert Hughes was born in Monticello, Missouri, the son of Abraham Guy Hughes (1878–1957) and Georgia Alice Weatharby (1906–1947). He was born "weighing a hefty but not abnormal" 11 pounds 4 ounces (5.1 kg) and was a "fairly average-size baby until he contracted whooping cough at about five months old."

The family moved to Fishhook, Illinois, when Robert was six months old.

Career

Hughes made some income from selling photographs of himself. During his adult life, Hughes made guest appearances at carnivals and fairs. At age 27, he joined a traveling roadshow, often accompanied by some of his family. Plans to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show variety television program were announced but never materialized.

In 1957, traveling with his brother Guy and Guy's wife Lillian, Hughes had bookings throughout the country. Walking, even with his massive cane, had started to be difficult for the 31-year-old. While at a carnival, word reached Hughes that his father had died at age 79 back in Illinois. Guy and Lillian returned to Illinois for the funeral, but Robert stayed on, believing it was his duty to honour his commitments. At season's end, he returned to Guy's farm, unable to walk more than 20 feet (6.1 m) without the assistance of family members, who would follow closely, lugging a five-foot (1.5 m) wide, steel-reinforced chair in case of exhaustion.

Death

While traveling with the roadshow in Nappanee, Indiana, Hughes developed a rash, and the flesh under his fingernails turned blue. Because he was unable to be moved to the nearest hospital in Bremen, Indiana, doctors treated him at his trailer, and determined he was suffering from measles. He developed uremia.

He died on July 10, 1958, at the age of 32. He was buried in a small church cemetery in Benville, Illinois, in Brown County near his hometown, Fishhook. About 2,000 people attended the funeral.

See also

References

  1. ^ Kurson, Robert (2021-06-03). "Heavy". Chicago Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  2. ^ Gertz Husar, Deborah (June 12, 2007). "Robert Earl Hughes was a gentle giant". The Herald-Whig. Retrieved 2020-02-05.
  3. "710 Pound Youth". Life. 1946-10-07. pp. 81–82, 84. Retrieved 2020-02-05 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ Moreno, Rich (2010-02-04). "The Biggest Man in Fishhook, IL. Ever". Exploring Illinois. Retrieved 2020-02-05 – via blogspot.com.
  5. ^ "It's All in How You Look at It". Kentucky New Era. 1966-07-13. Retrieved 2020-02-05 – via Google News.
  6. ^ Luciano, Phil. "World's Heaviest Man: The last chapter of Robert Earl Hughes' remarkable life". Washington Times Reporter. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012.
  7. "Fishhook, Illinois to Benville, Illinois". How Far Is It? Distance Server. Retrieved 2020-02-05.

Further reading

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