At 205.16 cm (6 feet 9 inches) tall, Ekaterina Lisina from Russia is recognized as the world’s tallest professional model. Once a professional athlete, she later gained worldwide recognition for her record-breaking height and her efforts to promote confidence and inclusivity in the modeling industry.

Ekaterina Lisina’s legs measure 132.8 cm and 132.2 cm—both over four feet long from heel to hip.

Ekaterina Viktorovna Lisina was born on October 15, 1987, in Penza, Russia, into a family where everyone is unusually tall/ Her father is 6’5”; her mother is 6’1”, and her brother is 6’6”. Her height made her stand out from a young age, something she has said was not always easy during her school years.

Before entering the modeling industry, Lisina built a successful sports career. She played professional basketball in Russia’s national league and represented her country in international competitions. In 2008, she won a bronze medal with the Russian women’s basketball team at the Beijing Olympics. After retiring from the sport in 2014, she decided to pursue her early interest in modeling.

In 2017, Lisina applied to Guinness World Records and was officially recognized for two records: the world’s tallest professional model and the longest legs on a female. Her left leg measured 132.8 cm and her right 132.2 cm—both over four feet long when measured from heel to hip.

The announcement drew worldwide attention. Within weeks, she was featured in international media outlets and fashion magazines and invited to interviews and talk shows. Photos of her record measurements and her height comparison videos circulated widely online, establishing her as one of the most recognizable tall women in the world.

Ekaterina Lisina uses her platform to promote body diversity and self-acceptance.

After her Guinness recognition, Lisina shifted her focus entirely to modeling. She founded World’s Tallest Models, an agency dedicated to representing women above average height and encouraging the fashion industry to expand its idea of beauty standards.

Despite her success, daily life presents practical challenges. Lisina’s shoe size is EU 47 (US women’s size 14), which is difficult to find, and finding jeans or pants long enough is nearly impossible without custom tailoring. She has spoken about these challenges in interviews, saying she learned to approach them with patience and humor.

Her height also brings advantages. Lisina says her long stride helps her walk faster and gives her a more confident posture. On her social media accounts, she often shares photos and experiences from her modeling career, aiming to show that uniqueness can be a positive trait rather than something to hide.

Today, Lisina uses her platform to talk about body diversity and self-acceptance. She has said that for years, she wished she were shorter, but the Guinness World Record helped her see her height differently. “It made me realize that what I used to think was a flaw is actually my greatest strength,” she said in an interview.

Now based in Moscow, she continues to model and mentor other tall women entering the industry. She remains active on social media, where she frequently posts updates from photo shoots, fashion events, and her personal life.