His growth resulted from a tumour affecting his pituitary gland. His stature is such that he must use crutches in order to walk.
Kösen lives with his parents, three brothers and sister, who are all of typical height. He was unable to complete his education because of his height, so instead works part time as a farmer. Despite his height, he claims to enjoy a normal lifestyle and enjoys playing computer games with his friends. He describes the advantages of being tall as seeing a great distance and being able to help his family with domestic tasks such as changing light bulbs and hanging curtains. He lists disadvantages as not being able to find clothes (inside leg measuring 44.5 inches (113 cm) and sleeve length measuring 38 inches (97 cm) or shoes that fit or finding it difficult to fit into an average-sized car.
Starting in 2010, Kösen received Gamma Knife treatment for his pituitary tumour at the University of Virginia Medical School and has also been provided with medication to control his excessive levels of growth hormone. Although the full effect of the treatment takes up to two years, as of 2011, his hormone levels were almost normal. It was confirmed in March 2012 that the treatment had been effective in halting Kösen's growth.
In October 2013, Kösen married Syrian-born Merve Dibo, who is ten years Kösen's junior. In his interview he said that his biggest problem with his wife is the communication problem, not that he is much taller than his wife. He said he speaks Kurdish and Turkish but his wife speaks only Arabic.
On 13 November 2014, as part of Guinness World Records Day, Kösen met, for the first time, the world's shortest living man, Chandra Bahadur Dangi, at an event in London.Records
On 25 August 2009 Kösen's standing height was recorded at 246.4 cm (8 ft 1 in) in his home country by Guinness World Records, overtaking former world record holder Bao Xishun who stands 236 cm (7 ft 9 in) tall. Kösen also holds the current Guinness record for the largest hands at 27.5 cm, and the second largest feet at 36.5 cm (left foot) and 35.5 cm (right foot).
On 25 August 2010, according to the University of Virginia, a height of up to 254.3 cm (8 ft 4 in) had been confirmed by doctors and it was possible this was Kösen's actually height, artifically lowered by scoliosis and bad posture.
On 9 February 2011 Kösen was measured by Guinness World Records at 251 cm (8 ft 3 in).
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