World’s shortest man has died in rome at the age of 21

The world's shortest man — 2 feet, 5.37 inches tall — has died in Rome, the BBC reports. He was 21 years old.


He Pingping of China was recognized as the shortest man in March 2008 by Guinness World Records. He died Saturday after being hospitalized the past two weeks following complaints of chest pains while filming an episode for a TV show. His cause of death was not announced.

"From the moment I laid on eyes on him, I knew he was someone special," Craig Glenday, Guinness World Records editor-in-chief, told the BBC. "He had such a cheeky smile and mischievous personality, you couldn't help but be charmed by him. For such a small man, he made a huge impact around the world."