John Paul Ofwono, a Ugandan folk figure, stood at an impressive 7 feet 6 inches (229 cm) tall, earning him the title of the world’s third-tallest man. He leveraged his unique stature to become a spokesperson for soft drinks and was even voted second in the ‘Man of the 20th Century’ poll, behind Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

Ofwono attempted to enter the Millennium version of the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s tallest man in 1999 but fell short by two inches.

Sadly, Ofwono passed away on July 10, 2003, at the age of 43, due to complications from diabetes, craniopharyngioma, and other illnesses, at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.