Humans come in all shapes and sizes; evolution has a way of not exactly sticking to a set plan. Some may be born with such as extra limbs or even organs! The vast tapestry of human bodies offers a variety of extraordinary possibilities. One such case is that of Jyoti Amge. Standing at just 62.8 cm (2.05 ft), Jyoti holds the current Guinness World Record as the world’s shortest living woman! She may be small in stature, but she creates some big ripples with her presence. Let’s take a peek into Jyoti’s life to understand why she has become an inspiration for people around the world.

Jyoti Amge may look like a toddler, but she was born in 1993!

Jyoti is a native of Nagpur, a town in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Her parents, Ranjana Amge and Kishanji Amge, stated that people of her hometown regarded her as a “goddess” due to her unique appearance. At the age of 15, Jyoti held the Guinness World Record as the world’s shortest teenager, standing at 61.95 cm (2 ft). Weighing just 5.4 kg (12 lb), she was only 4 kg (9 lb) more than her birth weight!

On 16 December 2011, when she turned 18, Jyoti was measured by Dr. Manoj Pahukar at Wockhardt Superspeciality Hospital in Pune, India, with Guinness World Records adjudicator Rob Malloy present to witness the event. As is customary with all record holders, Jyoti’s measurements were taken at different times of the day, as the spine can fluctuate over the course of 24 hours and could offer different readings.

Her average height after this procedure was determined to be 62.8 cm (2.07 ft), slightly shorter than the previous record holder, Bridgette Jordan from the USA, who was 69 cm (2.3 ft) tall. However, Pauline Muster (1878 – 1895) from the Netherlands holds the title as the shortest woman to ever live, reaching just 61 cm (2 ft) in height.

Jyoti’s size is due to a form of dwarfism known as “achondroplasia.”

Jyoti’s exceptionally small size is due to achondroplasia. Achondroplasia is a genetic condition that affects around one in every 40,000 births. Everyone has a specific protein within their bodies known as the “fibroblast growth factor receptor.” These receptors regulate crucial processes such as cell growth and differentiation during a person’s developmental phase. Achondroplasia affects the functioning of this protein; it slows down the growth of bone in the cartilage of the growth plate. This leads the body to develop shorter bones, abnormally shaped bones, and a shorter stature.

Achondroplasia can be inherited by children from their parents. However, 80% of cases are the result of a sudden mutation during the development of the embryo. Fetal ultrasound and DNA testing are useful in detecting this condition. Peter Dinklage, the actor who portrayed Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones, is also one notable figure who lives with achondroplasia. However, the world’s shortest-living woman, too, has made it onto the big screen.

The world’s shortest-living woman never lets her height decide the size of her dreams and wishes!

Jyoti’s dream and ambition from a young age was to become an icon that’s larger than life: an actress. As the world’s shortest woman, she has been in the spotlight for a fair number of years now. She first appeared in a music video at the age of eight, followed by several documentaries about her life.

In 2012, she appeared on Bigg Boss, India’s version of the reality show Big Brother. However, her big break came in 2014 when she was featured in the anthology series American Horror Story: Freak Show. Her role as Ma Petite made her the Guinness World Record holder for the world’s shortest actress. In Milan, Italy, Jyoti appeared on the televised talent show Lo Show Dei Record.

Jyoti has also toured the world, visiting numerous cities across the globe. On her travels, she met the shortest man in the world, Chandra Bahadur Dangi, in London. Chandra stands at a height of 54.6 cm (1.79 ft) and was the first adult Jyoti encountered who was shorter than her. In stark contrast, during her visit to Egypt, she met with Sultan Kösen, the tallest living man. Reaching 251 cm (8 ft 2.8 in), Sultan is nearly four times Jyoti’s height. With plans to continue her travels in 2024, the world’s shortest woman is making big plans to ensure she achieves her dreams and enjoys life despite its challenges!