In a hair-raising tale from Uttar Pradesh, India, meet Smita Srivastava, a 46-year-old woman who has not had a haircut since she was 14! Recently, she earned a spot in the prestigious Guinness World Records for having the longest hair on a living person, measuring an astonishing 7 feet and 9 inches.
Smita, inspired by the iconic long hairstyles flaunted by Hindi actresses from the 1980s, embraced the tradition deeply rooted in Indian culture. “In Indian culture, goddesses traditionally had very long hair. In our society, it is considered inauspicious to cut hair, so that is why women used to grow hair,” she explained to Guinness World Records. “Long hair enhances the beauty of women.”
Her dedication to maintaining her extraordinary mane has not wavered, and she has no plans to snip those lengthy locks anytime soon. “I will take care of my hair as long as I can. I will never cut my hair because my life is in my hair,” she declared. “I want my hair to grow more and see how long I can manage it.”
Smita Srivastava’s record-breaking achievement not only showcases her personal commitment but also pays homage to the cultural significance attached to long, luscious hair in Indian tradition.
