World’s shortest man dies at 75

The shortest man to ever live has died. Chandra Bahadur Dangi, who was 21.5 inches tall according to Guinness World Records, died in an American Samoa hospital Thursday. He was 75 years old.

The Nepal native was suffering from pneumonia when he was admitted to the hospital last week, the Kathmandu Post reported.

“GWR would like to express its sincere and heartfelt condolences to Mr. Dangi’s family in this difficult time,” Guinness World Records said in a statement. “He will be remembered forever as an iconic and extraordinary record holder.”

Dangi earned his title in 2012 when Guinness officials heard rumors of a man in Nepal who was two inches shorter than the current record holder, a 23.5-inch man in the Philippines.

Record keepers traveled to Kathmandu to confirm Dangi’s height. His 21.5-inch frame beat the current holder — and it made him the shortest man ever measured.

Shortly after he was crowned, the world’s shortest man met the world’s shortest woman, 2-foot Indian Jyothi Amge from India. Last year, Dangi met the world’s tallest man, 8-foot-3 Sultan Kösen from Turkey.

The 31-pound Dangi was proud of his title, and especially loved representing his home country.

“It’s been a lifelong dream to travel and becoming a Guinness World Records title holder has enabled me to do that,” he told the Telegraph in 2014. “It makes me extremely proud to represent Nepal all around the world. I’m extremely humbled by the support I receive.”