Yao Defen (Chinese: 姚德芬; pinyin: Yáo Défēn; July 15, 1972 – November 13, 2012[1]) was a Chinese woman who was the tallest living woman, as recognized by Guinness World Records.
Yao Defen was born to poor farmers in the town of Liuan in the Anhui province of Shucheng County.
The story of this "giant woman" began to spread rapidly after she went to see a doctor at the age of fifteen for an illness.
Medical doctors (who also saw her after years) properly diagnosed the illness but decided not to cure her, because her family did not have the 4000 yuan for the surgery.
She recovered and felt some happiness after a visit from China's tallest man, Zhang Juncai.