Lee Redmond
LeeAnn Redmond | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 2, 1941 Annabella, Utah, United States |
| Died | December 14, 2023 (aged 82) Utah, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Notable work | Longest fingernails record in Guinness World Records |
| Children | 3 |
LeeAnn Redmond (February 2, 1941 in Annabella, Utah[1] – December 14, 2023) was an American woman who held the record in the Guinness World Records for longest fingernails on both hands.
Guinness World Records
| Right hand | ||
|---|---|---|
| Thumb | 76.4 cm | 30.1 in |
| Index finger | 72.3 cm | 28.5 in |
| Middle finger | 74.1 cm | 29.2 in |
| Ring finger | 73.6 cm | 29.0 in |
| Little finger | 71.6 cm | 28.2 in |
| Left hand | ||
| Thumb | 80.0 cm | 31.5 in |
| Index finger | 76.4 cm | 30.1 in |
| Middle finger | 76.7 cm | 30.2 in |
| Ring finger | 76.2 cm | 30.0 in |
| Little finger | 73.6 cm | 29.0 in |
| Total length | ||
| 751.3 cm | 24 ft 7.8 in | |
The Enquirer featured her every few years and kept track of the progress of her nails.[2]
Redmond started growing her nails in late 1978 to early 1979 and although she had originally planned to have them cut off on November 22, 2006 (as she said on her guest appearances on a couple of talk shows), she chose to keep her nails after all. In the past few years, she made appearances on CBS News and at the Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum. One of her last appearances was at a fundraiser for the Salt Lake City fire department, where it was reported her nails were an average of 86-89 centimetres (34–35 in) in length.
During the time when she had her long nails, she enjoyed activities such as riding bikes with her younger sister Sierra, who had normal nails. She stated that, while certain activities such as putting on a heavy coat were troublesome, she managed her daily life without much difficulty. On the Guinness TV feature, she was shown driving a car, vacuuming, doing dishes, and giving haircuts to her grandchildren.
On February 10, 2009, her record-setting nails were broken off when she was ejected from a car in a four-car pile-up in Holladay, Utah. Her injuries were serious, but not life-threatening.[3][4]
In a Huffington Post story published on September 3, 2009, it was stated that: "Lee Redmond, who lost the fingernails in February, says it's now much easier to do things and her hands seem to fly with the weight of the nails gone. The 68-year-old won't grow her nails out again, saying it took 30 years the first time, and she may not live for another 30."[5]
Personal life
Redmond was born in 1941 to Glen (1917–2012) and Alice Case in Annabella, Utah. She was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[6] resided in Salt Lake City, Utah. She had two sons and a daughter; two granddaughters, two grandsons, and two great-grandchildren.
Redmond stated that her long nails did not interfere with her care of her husband, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease.[2][7]
Redmond died in Utah on December 14, 2023, at the age of 82.[8]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Ripley's Believe It or Not! | Herself | Guest appearance |
| The Ellen DeGeneres Show | Herself | Guest appearance | |
| 2007 | CBS News | Herself | Guest appearance |
See also
- Shridhar Chillal, who holds the world record for the longest fingernails ever reached on a single hand.
References
- ^ "LeeAnn Redmond Obituary (1941 - 2023) - Holladay, UT - The Salt Lake Tribune". Legacy.com. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
- ^ a b The Smallest Waist and the Longest Fingernails ABC News
- ^ Alberty, Erin (February 12, 2009). "Pileup shatters SLC woman's fingernail record". Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on February 15, 2009.
- ^ Reavy, Pat (February 13, 2009). "Salt Lake woman with world's longest fingernails, loses nails in crash". Deseret News.
- ^ "Lee Redmond, Longest Fingernails Record Holder, Discusses Drama Of Breaking Them". Huffington Post. September 3, 2009.
- ^ https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/glen-case-obituary?pid=178877635
- ^ Walquist, Tammy (August 10, 2006). "Utahn nails a spot in world record book". Deseret Morning News. Retrieved August 20, 2008.
- ^ Newman, Vicki (December 18, 2023). "Lee Redmond, who once had the longest fingernails ever, dies just days before Christmas". Guinness World Records. Retrieved December 18, 2023.