A BRAZILIAN model has revealed how a hidden tumour made her shoot up to almost seven feet tall – and how her shorter partner won her over.
Elisane Silva, 26, from Salinopolis, stands at a staggering six foot eight and towers over her five-foot-four husband, Francinaldo Da Silva Carvalho, 31.
But she admitted their nearly two-foot height gap doesn’t faze them – in fact, he was the one to win her over.
Elisane said: “Since I was 10 years old, I always noticed that there wasn’t something quite right as I was the only one in my family and class that stood at a staggering five feet nine inches.”
Her parents, Ana Maria Ramos and Luiz Jorge, were left stunned.
“My mother is only five feet four inches and my father is just five feet seven inches, so it was a shock to our entire family when I was the tallest member at so young,” she explained.
By age 10, Elisane was suffering painful pressure in her bones and head as she continued to grow at an alarming rate.
A doctor recommended tests, but her family couldn’t afford them.
Then a national TV network stepped in, offering to cover her medical bills if she told her story on air.
“A national television network approached my family after hearing my story, and in 2010, we flew to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where I appeared on national television and had all my tests done for free on behalf of the network,” she recalled.
“Although this was embarrassing, I was just glad to finally have an answer and to stop the pain that I was going through as a result of my height.”
Doctors discovered a benign tumour on her pituitary gland, which had triggered an overproduction of growth hormone – a condition known as gigantism.
But while Elisane had answers, school became unbearable.
Classmates bullied her mercilessly, calling her “tower” and “giant.”
“I remember locking myself up at home as I felt so sick with the hurtful comments and words people were constantly saying to me,” she said.
“I decided to give up and it was the hardest decision I have ever had to make, as I wanted to continue studying, but I knew that I wouldn’t last any longer in that environment.
“At the time, I was 17 years old, so my parents didn’t have much to say on the matter and I was really lost about where to go next in life.”
Everything changed when she met Francinaldo in 2011.
“I fell for him right there and then, as he was the first person to treat me like a human being and not some freak of nature,” she said.
“Although there is an obvious height difference, we don’t see it as an issue as we love each other just the way we are and wouldn’t want anything to change.”
The couple got engaged quickly and tied the knot in September 2015. They later welcomed their son, Angelo, now three.
“We used to get comments from people in the street when we were walking together, I’m no longer the center of attention now we have our beautiful son,” Elisane said.
Angelo is already three foot three, but Elisane doesn’t believe he’ll inherit her towering stature.
“I don’t believe he will grow to be as tall as me because I don’t think my condition is hereditary,” she explained.
“I think he will grow up to be average height – but even if not, he should embrace the unique asset he has been given.”
After years of shame, Elisane now embraces her frame and is pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a professional model.
“Although I haven’t been successful just yet, I usually go out and take professional photos of myself and add it to my portfolio to pass on to agencies,” she said.
“Despite no agencies picking up on them yet, these photo sessions have helped my levels of confidence immensely and I have started to love myself for who I am.”
While she’s been branded the “tallest woman in Brazil” online, Elisane says it’s not an official title – though she’s learned to wear the label with pride.
“I have learned to love myself for my unique height, as there’s no one quite like me and I think that’s rather special,” she said.
“I have found a good man to love, have a wonderful son, a beautiful family, and I am grateful that God has taught me to overcome these obstacles in life.
“Don’t let people’s evil comments interfere with your life, as it’s not for them to judge you based on how you look or who you love – stay true to yourself and you’ll live happily.”
