New Delhi: Renu Dhariyal, a young woman from Haldwani in Uttarakhand, has secured a Guinness World Record for having the longest hair among living women, turning years of patience and meticulous care into a remarkable global achievement.
Her hair measures 271.50 centimetres (8 feet 10 inches), with the record officially verified during an assessment conducted in Haldwani in April 2026. She surpassed the previous record held by Ukrainian national Alia Nasyrova, whose hair measured 257.33 centimetres (8 feet 5.3 inches).
The extraordinary length has drawn attention to another striking comparison. Robert Wadlow, recognised as the tallest person in recorded history, stood 272 centimetres (8 feet 11.1 inches) tall—less than half an inch taller than the length of Dhariyal’s hair.
Dhariyal has not cut her hair even once since 2015. She attributes her commitment to the cultural significance of long hair in India, where it has traditionally been associated with beauty and heritage.
An active content creator and YouTuber, Dhariyal also shares beauty and skincare tips and information for women on social media.
Photographs released of her record-breaking hair show it stretching across the floor when she sits, cascading from the edge of a bed and sometimes surrounding her. Its thickness and shine are also notable.
Maintaining such extraordinary hair requires considerable time and patience. Dhariyal says washing it and carefully untangling the hair can take hours, while elaborate braiding is necessary to keep it from dragging on the ground.
Years without cutting, combined with relentless care and perseverance, have ultimately secured her place among Guinness World Records’ extraordinary achievers.c