But first let's warm up with a couple of interesting beard facts. The beard is the fastest growing hair on the body of a human male. If a man never trimmed his beard, it would grow to around 9 metres long in his lifetime.
Pogonotrophy (po-guh-NAW-truh-fee) is the name given to the cultivation of beards, beard-growing.
Origins: [pogon (beard) + trophy (nourishment, growth)]
Longest Beard in the World on a Non-Living Person
The longest beard ever measured belonging to a non-living person was donated to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, in 1967. It belonged to Hans Langseth (1846–1927) of Norway who at his death at age 66 in 1927 had cultivated a beard 5.33 meters (17 feet 6 inches) long. I understand that visitors to the Smithsonian can view the beard so next time you're there don't miss it. |
| Hans Langseth of Norway World Record of the Longest Beard Ever Measured |
(Author: Jorgenson, Nils C. circa 1912)
Longest Beard in the World on a Living Person
World Record for the Man with the Longest Beard 1997
The original unofficial record for the world's longest beard was submitted to the Guiness World Records in 1997. At that time Sikh, Shamsher Singh of Punjab, India had a beard measuring 1.8 metres (six feet) from his chin to the tip.Contested World Record Longest Beard
Birger Pellas of Sweden held the record for the longest beard measuring 1.77 m (5 ft 9 in) and the longest moustache at 9 feet and 4 inches.World Record 2008
The longest beard belonging to a living person record held by Birger Pellas was broken in 2008 by Sarwan Singh with a confirmed beard length of 2.36 meters or 7.7 3/4 ft. This became the official Guinness World Record for the title of the longest beard to be measured on a live person.World Record 2010
The 2008 world record for the longest beard on a living male was superceded by Sarwan Singh himself when he set a new record in Rome in 2010 at 2.495 metres (8 ft 2.5 in). The beard was later found to be longer again when measured on a US TV show as per the video below.)World Record 2022
Sarwan Singh, British Columbia, Canada, was further able able to extend his record for the longest beard in the world on a living male on October 15, 2022 with a staggering 2.54 m (8 ft 3 in). |
| Sarwan Singh - Holder of the World's Longest Beard Record Photo Credit: Guiness World Records |
As a follower of the Sikh religion maintaining uncut hair is an article of faith. To keep his beard immaculate Sarwan carries out lengthy daily grooming routines including shampooing, combing and oiling. He typically keeps his beard tied up although unties it for religious ceremonies.
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Background information source: Guiness Book of Records
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