Background
Tomaini was the son of Santo Tomaini and Maria Bossone. At the age of 12, he was taller than his father, who stood 6 feet, 1 inch tall.
Tomaini was the son of Santo Tomaini and Maria Bossone. At the age of 12, he was taller than his father, who stood 6 feet, 1 inch tall.
He was one of seven children. He had a great-grandfather in Italy who was also of abnormal height. Weighing 356 pounds and wearing size 27 shoes, Tomaini spent most of his life as a sideshow performer.
She was born without legs and was only 2 feet, 6 inches tall. After eloping from the circus, the couple settled in the circus community of Gibsonton, Florida. There he became active in community affairs, donating the town's first ambulance, serving as fire chief, helping build the community hall, and serving as president of the Chamber of Commerce.
He was owner and operator of Giants Cam lodge and Fish Camp, a TV repair shop, and a tourist trailer court. His death in 1962 at age 50 came after extensive treatment for a pituitary tumor. Although he was referred to as the "World's Tallest Man", the Guinness Book of World Records identifies that titleholder as Robert Pershing Wadlow, who was 8 feet, 11.1 inches tall.