The Guinness World Record for the world’s longest nails is one of the most astonishing and unique records, highlighting incredible patience, dedication, and a deeply personal story. While many have made headlines for their extraordinary talons, two individuals stand out for holding the all-time records for the longest nails.
For decades, the name Shridhar Chillal was synonymous with record-breaking nails. A man from Pune, India, Chillal began growing the nails on his left hand in 1952 after being scolded by a teacher for accidentally breaking his nail. This incident spurred a lifelong dedication, and he did not cut his nails for over 66 years.
When he finally decided to cut them in 2018, his nails had reached a staggering combined length of 909.6 centimeters (358.1 inches). His thumbnail alone was an incredible 197.8 centimeters (77.9 inches) long. While his nails brought him global fame, their immense weight caused him health issues, including permanent disfigurement of his left hand and deafness in his left ear. Today, his remarkable nails are preserved and on display at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum in New York.
The current Guinness World Record holder for the longest fingernails on a pair of hands (female) is Diana Armstrong from Minnesota, USA. Her nails, which she has not cut since 1997, measured a total length of 1,306.58 cm (42 ft 10.4 in) when they were verified in 2022. This record is not just a feat of physical endurance but also a tribute to a heart-wrenching loss.
Armstrong stopped cutting her nails after the tragic death of her 16-year-old daughter, Latisha, who used to do her nails for her every weekend. The decision became her way of honoring her daughter’s memory. While her incredible nails have made everyday tasks difficult, she is able to manage with the help of her family. It takes her grandchildren approximately four to five hours and nearly 20 bottles of nail polish to paint all her nails.
