Felipe Birriel
Encyclopedia
Felipe Birriel, also known as "El Gigante de Carolina" (The Giant of Carolina) (August 16, 1916-March 15, 1994) is considered to have been the tallest Puerto Rican
, with an unconfirmed height of 2.413 meters or seven feet eleven inches (7' 11").
, was the son of Pedro and Dionisia Birriel and was the oldest of six siblings. His highest level of education was up to the second grade in elementary school. As a child, Birriel was sent to the farm fields where he helped his parents plant vegetable seeds. He also worked in the fields picking fruits and coffee beans
and as a waterboy, delivered water to the sugar cane workers.
In 1932, when Birriel was 16 years old, he started to grow at an alarming rate. One day, he went to visit a doctor because he felt sick with dizzy spells and because he was also feeling weak. The doctor informed Birriel that for some unknown reason, his pituitary gland
had developed a tumor
. Even though the condition
did not have a known cure, it was still treatable.
. The machine was sent in 1932, but it wasn't until 1941 — nine years later — that it finally arrived in Puerto Rico.
filmed in Puetro Rico in 1961. In 1974, during the celebration of the FIBA World Basketball Championships celebrated in San Juan, Puerto Rico
, Birriel was the guest of honor and was invited to the basketball court
, in front of all the spectators he dunked the ball without jumping, a standing ovation followed.
The Government of Puerto Rico
and local businessmen helped him economically, since his daily personal needs could not be met with the money that he earned in personal appearances. The owners of local furniture stores also helped Birriel by making furniture especially for him. His health, however had worsened progressively and he died from a heart attack
on March 15, 1994, at the age of 77, in Carolina, Puerto Rico.
Birriel was unique in reaching a relatively old age while being as tall as he was; most extremely tall people tend to experience serious disabling medical conditions such as the ones that eventually crippled, and then killed, Robert Wadlow
(the tallest human in the world during his lifetime) at an early age.
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
, with an unconfirmed height of 2.413 meters or seven feet eleven inches (7' 11").
Early years
Birriel, born in Carolina, Puerto RicoCarolina, Puerto Rico
Carolina is a city located in the northern part of Puerto Rico, bordering the Atlantic Ocean; it lies north of Gurabo and Juncos; east of Trujillo Alto and San Juan; and west of Canóvanas and Loíza. Carolina is spread over 12 wards plus Carolina Pueblo...
, was the son of Pedro and Dionisia Birriel and was the oldest of six siblings. His highest level of education was up to the second grade in elementary school. As a child, Birriel was sent to the farm fields where he helped his parents plant vegetable seeds. He also worked in the fields picking fruits and coffee beans
Coffee
Coffee is a brewed beverage with a dark,init brooo acidic flavor prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, colloquially called coffee beans. The beans are found in coffee cherries, which grow on trees cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in equatorial Latin America, Southeast Asia,...
and as a waterboy, delivered water to the sugar cane workers.
In 1932, when Birriel was 16 years old, he started to grow at an alarming rate. One day, he went to visit a doctor because he felt sick with dizzy spells and because he was also feeling weak. The doctor informed Birriel that for some unknown reason, his pituitary gland
Pituitary gland
In vertebrate anatomy the pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea and weighing 0.5 g , in humans. It is a protrusion off the bottom of the hypothalamus at the base of the brain, and rests in a small, bony cavity covered by a dural fold...
had developed a tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
. Even though the condition
Gigantism
Gigantism, also known as giantism , is a condition characterized by excessive growth and height significantly above average...
did not have a known cure, it was still treatable.
Condition treatment
The treatment required a radio therapy machine which could only be found in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The machine was sent in 1932, but it wasn't until 1941 — nine years later — that it finally arrived in Puerto Rico.
Later years
Birriel lived with his brother and sister-in-law in the town of Carolina and became something of a folk hero and known as "El Gigante de Carolina" (The Giant of Carolina). He appeared in the film Flight of the Lost BalloonFlight of the Lost Balloon
Flight of the Lost Balloon is a 1961 film produced, written and directed by Nathan Juran that was filmed in Puerto Rico. It stars Mala Powers and Marshall Thompson with the working title being Cleopatra and the Cyclops....
filmed in Puetro Rico in 1961. In 1974, during the celebration of the FIBA World Basketball Championships celebrated in San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, Birriel was the guest of honor and was invited to the basketball court
Basketball court
In basketball, the basketball court is the playing surface, consisting of a rectangular floor with tiles at either end. In professional or organized basketball, especially when played indoors, it is usually made out of a wood, often maple, and highly polished...
, in front of all the spectators he dunked the ball without jumping, a standing ovation followed.
The Government of Puerto Rico
Government of Puerto Rico
The Government of Puerto Rico is a republican form of government subject to U.S. jurisdiction and sovereignty. Its current powers are all delegated by the United States Congress and lack full protection under the United States Constitution...
and local businessmen helped him economically, since his daily personal needs could not be met with the money that he earned in personal appearances. The owners of local furniture stores also helped Birriel by making furniture especially for him. His health, however had worsened progressively and he died from a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
on March 15, 1994, at the age of 77, in Carolina, Puerto Rico.
Birriel was unique in reaching a relatively old age while being as tall as he was; most extremely tall people tend to experience serious disabling medical conditions such as the ones that eventually crippled, and then killed, Robert Wadlow
Robert Wadlow
Robert Pershing Wadlow was the tallest person in history for whom there is irrefutable evidence. Wadlow is sometimes known as the Alton Giant or Giant of Illinois because he was born and grew up in Alton, Illinois.Wadlow reached in height and weighed at his death at age 22...
(the tallest human in the world during his lifetime) at an early age.