Hans Langseth | |
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![]() Hans Langseth
c. 1912 | |
Born | Hans Nilson Langseth July 14, 1846 |
Died | November 10, 1927
Wyndmere,
Richland County, North Dakota, United States | (aged 81)
Burial place | Elk Creek Church Cemetery |
Occupation | Farmer |
Known for | Longest beard |
Spouse | Anna Berntsen |
Hans Nilson Langseth (July 14, 1846 – November 10, 1927) was a Norwegian-American who held the record for the world's longest beard. [1]
Langseth was born in Eidsvoll on July 14, 1846 and immigrated to the United States in 1867. He married Anna Berntsen in 1870 and worked as a farmer in Elkton Township, Clay County, Minnesota. Later on in his life, he began growing a beard as part of a contest, and he won the contest. [2] In his later life, he traveled around the United States as part of a freak show showing off his beard. [3]
Langseth died aged 81 in Wyndmere, North Dakota on November 10, 1927 and is buried in Elk Creek Church Cemetery in Kensett, Iowa. [4] When he died, his beard measured 5.33 meters (17.5 ft). [5] [6] It was donated to the Department of Anthropology at the Smithsonian Institution in 1967. [7] [8]