Guinness World Records has announced the passing of the record holder for the longest toenails, Louise Hollis, who died at 86.
In a statement on Friday, GWR stated that Louise’s passing was confirmed by her daughter Dana, who reached out to Guinness World Records this week to inform them of her mother’s death.
Dana also reportedly shared the news with Louise’s fans via her official Facebook page, saying, “Thank you for all the love and support you have shown her over the years. Please pray for our family as we go through this very difficult time. God bless you all.”
Woman with world’s longest toenails, Louise Hollis, dies at 86
Louise, who is from California, USA, became popular for her achievement in 1991, when the combined length of all her toenails was measured at 220.98 cm (87 inches).
According to the statement, Louise’s journey with her toenails began in 1981, inspired by a TV program that featured the longest fingernails.
She also grew her fingernails to impressive lengths, though not enough to claim the record.
“An entry in Guinness World Records 2004 noted that each toenail was, on average, as long as the width of a page in the book itself. This was the longest-ever length recorded for her toenails,” the statement partly read.
Her toenails became a defining feature of her life as they grew so long that she had to adjust her daily life to accommodate them.
Woman with world’s longest toenails, Louise Hollis, dies at 86
“They got so long, I couldn’t walk anymore unless I held up my heel. Each summer I would always let ’em grow long because I like to wear sun shoes. The next summer, they were just too pretty, and I just hated to cut ’em. And so, I didn’t!” She told the Fox television network’s Guinness World Records Primetime in 1999.
In the 2007 edition of Guinness World Records, it was noted that Louise rarely wore shoes, but when she did, they had to be open-toed with soles at least 3 inches thick to prevent her nails from dragging on the ground.
She was also reportedly to have appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show at the age of 68, showcasing her record-breaking toenails on US national television.
During her appearance, when asked by Ellen what she would do if she ever had to run, Louise interjected, “I just walk softly and carry a big stick.”
When asked about the cold weather, given that she could only wear open-toed shoes due to the length of her nails, Louise shared, “I either just stay in or take a blanket and wrap it over me.”
“Louise was then presented with a gift of custom-made warm boots with the toes cut out,” the statement noted.
Her nails reportedly affected her personal life as Louise found herself single in later years after having 12 children.
She reportedly recounted that her ex-husband had given her an ultimatum: “Nails go or I go,” to which Louise replied, “I’ve had you for 22 years; you can split. The nails are new.”
Despite the challenges of living with such nails, Louise never intended to cut them short after achieving the record.
“I think after I get into the Guinness book, I’ll cut them down to size. But they’re never going to be short, anyway. No way!” she was quoted as saying.
