NEW DELHI: A woman from Uttarakhand has turned years of patience and an unwavering commitment to her hair into a Guinness World Record, after growing her locks to an astonishing 271.50 cm (8 feet 10 inches).
Renu Dhariyal was officially recognised for having the longest hair on a living person (female), according to a report published by Guinness World Records. Her record-breaking hair was measured and verified in Haldwani, in April.
The Guinness World Records say:
Renu Dhariyal (India) has the longest hair in the world!
She has claimed the record for longest hair on a living person (female).
Her stunning raven tresses measure an unbelievable 271.50 cm (8 ft 10 in) long.
According to Guinness World Records, Dhariyal had been growing her hair continuously since 2015 and had not had it cut during that period.
Speaking to Guinness World Records, she explained that her decision to grow her hair was influenced partly by Indian cultural traditions, where long hair has historically been associated with beauty and tradition.
Over the years, her hair had grown long enough to trail across the floor behind her. Photographs shared by Guinness World Records showed Dhariyal sitting on the floor surrounded by her exceptionally long locks, while other images showed her hair cascading over the edge of a bed.
Despite its extraordinary length, her hair was also described as thick and shiny. When she needed to keep it under control, Dhariyal reportedly tied it into a long, elaborate braid.
Dhariyal’s achievement also meant that she took the title from Ukrainian record-holder Aliia Nasyrova.
Nasyrova previously held the record with hair measuring 257.33 cm (8 feet 5.3 inches). Dhariyal’s measurement of 271.50 cm therefore surpassed the previous record by more than 14 cm.
The achievement was particularly notable because Dhariyal had spent years maintaining her hair rather than simply growing it.
In its report, Guinness World Records emphasised the considerable effort required to care for hair of such extraordinary length.
Dhariyal said that looking after her locks required considerable patience, with hours spent washing and detangling them. Rather than relying heavily on commercial chemical products, she said she preferred natural methods.
Dhariyal also made homemade hair oils and shampoos and shared her approach to hair care with followers online.
Beyond holding the record, Dhariyal had built a presence as a content creator and YouTuber, where she shared beauty and hair-care tips with other women.
Dhariyal’s unusual appearance had already made her a source of curiosity both offline and online. Guinness World Records reported that she frequently attracted attention whenever she stepped outside or appeared on social media, with people surprised by the sheer length of her hair.
For Dhariyal, however, the record represented more than just an unusual physical achievement.
She told Guinness World Records that she hoped her achievement would help bring attention to India and her local community while encouraging people to remain consistent and connected to their natural beauty and culture.
With her hair stretching nearly nine feet, Renu Dhariyal had certainly turned a decade-long personal commitment into a record that was difficult to miss.
