Story Published: Mar 16, 2010 at 6:57 AM PST
Story Updated: Mar 16, 2010 at 6:57 AM PST
In this Sept. 16, 2008 file photo, the world's smallest man, He Pingping, and the woman with the longest legs in the world, Svetlana Pankratova, pose together in London's Trafalgar Square.
He Pingping, of China, who was 2 feet, 5.37 inches (74.6 centimeters) tall, had become a recognized figure across the world, often taking part in shows, photo shoots and other events, Guinness World Records said.
Craig Glenday, the Guinness World Records editor-in-chief, said He was "an inspiration to anyone considered different or unusual" and "showed us that, despite the challenges we face, we can still make the most out of life."
He died Saturday in Rome, according to the TV production company Europroduzione.
Guinness World Records said in a press release He was born in 1988 with a form of primordial dwarfism. He was officially measured in March 2008.
He was taken to a hospital March 3 after he fell ill while rehearsing the Italian program "The Record Show," Marco Fernandez de Araoz of Europroduzione said.
After two days, He was transferred to intensive care, where he was found to have a heart condition and high cholesterol, said Fernandez de Araoz. He said the hospital, where he died, has so far given as his cause of death the heart condition.
The man's body will be flown to China soon once the paperwork is ready, Fernandez de Araoz said.
In this Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010 file photo, the world's shortest man, He Pingping, and world's tallest man Sultan Kosen, of Turkey, pose together during an event organized by the Guinness World Records.
