Martin Van Buren Bates and Anna Swan (Bates: 1845-1919 Swan 1846-1888) World's Tallest Married Couple Anna Swan was born in Nova Scotia, and eventually reached a height of 7' 11.5". She exhibited herself at the Barnum Museum in New York and was there for the famous Barnum Museum fire. She had to be lifted out with a crane. Bates was born in Kentucky and served in the confederate army in the Civil War. The pair met, fell in love and were married. Pitchcard             click thumbnails for additional items Back to the Freaks Home † Contact // All material ©Patt Kelley Illustration.