Anna Swan married Martin Van Buren Bates in London. It was an eye-catching wedding — as both the bride and the groom stood almost 8 feet tall and

Table of Contents

The Giant Love Story of Anna Swan & Martin Bates: The Tallest Married Couple in History

In 1871, a wedding in London drew crowds and headlines—not for royalty, but for sheer size. The bride, Anna Haining Swan, stood 7’11” (241 cm), and the groom, Captain Martin Van Buren Bates, was just an inch shorter at 7’7” (231 cm). Together, they became the tallest married couple ever recorded, captivating the world with their extraordinary lives.

Who Was Anna Swan?

Born: August 6, 1846, in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Early Life: By age 4, Anna was already 5’4” (163 cm). As an adult, she reached nearly 8 feet tall, likely due to a pituitary gland condition (gigantism).
Gentle Giantess: Described as graceful, intelligent, and musical, Anna played the piano and spoke three languages.

Rise to Fame

Discovered by showman P.T. Barnum, she joined his American Museum in New York, later touring with Barnum’s Circus.

Audiences marveled at her height, but Anna was more than a spectacle—she used her earnings to support her family.

Who Was Martin Bates?

Born: November 9, 1837, in Kentucky, USA.
Civil War Veteran: Fought for the Confederacy, earning the nickname “The Kentucky Giant.”

Showman: Like Anna, he toured with circuses, embracing his stature with charm.

A Fairytale Romance

Meeting: The two giants crossed paths while touring Europe in the late 1860s.
The Proposal: Martin, smitten, gifted Anna a custom-made diamond ring (size 25.5!).

The Wedding (1871): Held at London’s St. Martin-in-the-Fields, their marriage was a media sensation. Queen Victoria herself sent a gold watch as a gift.

Life as the World’s Tallest Couple

Custom-Built Everything: Their Ohio home had 14-foot ceilings, oversized furniture, and a 500-pound bathtub.
Tragedy & Joy: Anna gave birth twice—
- First child (1872): A 23-pound baby girl who died at birth.
- Second child (1879): A 22-pound boy who lived only 11 hours (the largest newborn ever recorded at the time).
Later Years: Retired from show business, they lived quietly on a farm until Anna’s death in 1888 (age 41). Martin buried her in a 12-foot-long coffin and joined her in 1919.

Legacy of a Larger-Than-Life Love

Medical Marvels: Their skeletons were studied to understand gigantism.
Pop Culture: Inspired characters in films and literature, including a reference in The Guinness Book of World Records.
A Love That Stood Tall: Despite hardships, their bond was genuine. As Martin once said:

“We were united not only in stature but in heart.”

Final Thought: In an era obsessed with oddities, Anna and Martin transcended spectacle—their story remains a testament to love, resilience, and the extraordinary.

Want more? Visit Anna’s restored home in Seville, Ohio, where her giant-sized sewing machine still sits. 🏡✨