Jyoti Amge Happy to be World's Shortest Woman
A new world record has been set for the world’s shortest woman. Jyoti Amge, at 24.7 inches tall, has won the title Friday in the Guinness Book of Records.
The 18-year-old girl dreams of going to college and becoming an actress. At the Guinness ceremony announcing her award, Amge said, “I am very happy.”
Amge was presented with a certificate in Nagpur, India. She has just completed high school exams and told BBC, “It is wonderful to celebrate my 18th birthday with a new world record, it's like an added birthday present."
American Bridgette Jordan, who was 7cm taller, previously held the title. She and her brother however still hold the record for shortest siblings.
Amge previously held the record for the world’s shortest teenager, but her 18th birthday has commenced her new title.
The young girls short height is due to a disease called Achondroplasia dwarfism, which affects 1 in 25,000 people. It can be passed on as a genetic disorder or occurs in children whose parents are at an advanced age.
If two forms of the mutant gene are inherited, it could lead to stillbirth. But Amge is taking a positive out look.
"I feel grateful to be this size, after all if I weren't small and had not achieved these world records I might never have been able to visit Japan and Europe, and many other wonderful countries," she said to BBC.
