Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “In the mountains, the shortest way is from peak to peak: but for that you must have long legs.” ZZ Top once sang, “She’s got legs, she knows how to use them.” There are many world records that have many challengers. Often people battle fiercely for the title of smartest person, fastest person and funniest person. However, it might be a surprise to know that the competition over longest legs in the world is a pretty intense and competitive battle. It’s not only models that have long legs but regular everyday people have legs that go for days. In many cases having incredibly long legs turned these women into overnight celebrities. Having long legs is probably both a benefit and a bit of a curse. For one it’s easy to reach items in high places but obviously none of these women can wear heels on a first date. Well, that’s assuming they care that their date only reaches their knees, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, long legs on both women and men can be very attractive.

There are several women in the world who claim to have the longest legs. The competition is fierce as the legs are all long and beautiful. The women range from models to teachers and all have impressively long legs. Here is a look at 15 Women With The Longest Legs in the World.

15. Anastasia Strashevskaya - 42″

Anastasia Strashevskaya has it all; she’s got brains, beauty and legs that go for days. In 2014, Anastasia won “Miss Longest Legs” in a beauty contest in Russia. Her legs are an amazing 42 inches from heel to hipbone. At the time she won Miss Longest Legs, she was 18 and still in school. With the victory she gained overnight fame but promised to not allow it to interfere with her education. In fact, her dream has always been to practice law. She won’t allow the fame to go to her head and is only interested in pursing her dream of being a lawyer. With the money she won from having the longest legs she plans on buying a present for her parents and donate the rest to cancer research for children. Despite her incredibly long legs, she falls a little short of capturing the title of longest legs in the world. Regardless, “Miss Longest Legs” Anastasia Strashevskaya has the longest legs in Russia and should be proud of that fact.

14. Samantha Lawrence - 44″

There are several gorgeous models all over the world with legs that go for days. However, it’s not only models with long legs that turn heads but even math teachers. Samantha Lawrence is a math teacher from England. Her long legs are an impressive 44 inches and she stands at 6′1″. She’s noted that her long legs often get attention everywhere she goes including in the classroom. However, there is a good chance that her long legs might be a distraction in the classroom for some of the students. She might not be a model but she certainly can give any model a run for their money. Her long, gorgeous legs often get her a lot of stares and comments like many of the women on this list. She struggles from time to time to find clothes that fit her. However, her incredible legs have turned her into an overnight celebrity.

13. Nadja Auermann - 44″

There is a very good chance that Rod Stewart wrote the song “Hot Legs” about Nadja Auermann. Of course, Nadja was just a child at the time so maybe Rod Stewart can predict the future. At one time Nadja Auermann held the record for the model with the longest legs in the Guinness Book of World Records. She was discovered in a café in Berlin and entered the world of modelling. Her long legs and incredible beauty helped to be a dominant force in the world of modeling. She walked the runways for Louis Vuitton, Prada and Versace. Additionally, she’s appeared in ad campaigns for H&M, Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana. This gorgeous German's legs are an impressive 44 inches and she stands at 5′11″. Her long legs have helped significantly with her career as she’s appeared on the covers of Elle, Vogue and Esquire. Nadja no longer holds the record for longest legs but her long impressive legs are still legendary.

12. Dong Li - 45″

Dong Li has legs that go for days and has every model in China talking about her legendary long limbs. Dong Li is a model from China with the nickname “tui, tui”, which translates to long legs. Dong Li has the longest legs in China at an impressive 45 inches. She stands at 5′11″ and rose to fame with her appearance on the TV series, Supermodel. Initially, she wanted to get into modelling at a young age but her parents convinced her to put her modeling career on hold to gain an education first. She went to school to be a teacher but after graduating pursued a modeling career. She entered a modeling competition in Beijing that launched her career. Her legs are one of the longest and most famous in the world but she falls short of the world record. However, she has the longest legs in China.

11. Monika Wiktorowicz - 46″

Monika Wiktorowicz has the longest legs in Scotland. Her legs are an impressive 46 inches from the hipbone to heel. She stands at an incredible 6′1″ and is pretty accustom with towering over everyone. She does admit that in her younger days she hated her long legs and found it very difficult to shop. In fact, she didn’t really enjoy her legs and once said, “It’s only now, in my 20s, that I’m starting to appreciate my legs. People always glance down to see what heels I’m wearing – but it’s always just sneakers." Her current boyfriend is the same height has her but she once dated a guy that was 6’5″. She wanted to see what it was like to date someone taller but she hated feeling short. She feels that her current boyfriend is perfect for her. She gets a lot of stares and comments from people when she goes out in public but is used to all the attention now.

10. Ana Hickmann - 46.5″

Ana Hickmann’s legs are so long that people on the street often stop and stare at her. Ana Hickmann’s long legs have served her well in her modelling career and helped turn her into an overnight celebrity. She has appeared on the cover of some of the world’s most famous magazines, including the Brazilian Vogue, Elle and the Brazilian Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. However, her greatest claim to fame is her incredibly long legs. Her legs are an impressive 46.5 inches and at one point she was in the Guinness Book of World Records for a model having the longest legs. Additionally, she co-hosts a Brazilian daytime program, Progamma da Tarde. She also has her own clothing and cosmetics line. Maxim magazine included her on their Hot 100 List twice. Her long legs have gained her a considerable amount of fame and attention.

9. Alexandra Robertson - 47″

British model Alexandra Robertson has amazing 47-inch legs that literally go forever. The battle over the world’s longest legs includes women from Russia, Australia, America and now we can add the UK to that list. At the age of 20, Robertson towers over most people with a height of 6′1″. She studied musical theatre and was modeling at the same time. Like many women on this list, she struggles to find clothes that fit her. Some of the women on this list have admitted that relationships and dating can be difficult sometimes. Luckily for Alexandra Robertson she found a boyfriend that is only an inch shorter than her. Her boyfriend is 6 feet but has banned Alexandra from wearing heels when they are together. Alexandra Robertson would love to have the title of longest legs in the world but she falls a little short of the record.

8. Brooke Banker - 47″

Brooke Banker might not have the longest legs in the world but she likely has the longest legs in New York. Her gorgeous long legs are 47 inches from hipbone to heel. She certainly should be in the running for longest legs in the world. She played volleyball at Penn State, but that should come as no surprise to anyone. Her whole life she had been told that she should get into modeling but was much more into sports. However, she later decided to give modeling a shot and fell in love with the profession. Life isn’t that easy for Brooke who finds it a little difficult to find clothes that fit her, which is common for many of the women on this list. She now has the goal of being a television host on a morning talk show. She struggled with her height when in high school but now realizes it’s a gift. She once said, “When I was in high school, I would have preferred to be 4-11 rather than 5-11. But my height has helped me to play volleyball at a high level and to make a career out of modeling.”

7. Dji Dieng - 48.4″

Dji Dieng’s legs are so long and famous that it won’t be a surprise if someone writes a song about them someday. At one point she held the record for longest legs in the world and certainly has one of the longest legs in modeling. Dji Dieng is a supermodel with impressively long legs at 48.4 inches. She has worked all over the world, including in France, Italy and America. She has appeared in numerous ad campaigns for Coca-Cola, MAC and Nokia. She has done a lot of charity work and has raised awareness for breast cancer and AIDS. Her incredibly long legs are constantly gaining attention and stares when out in public. However, she realizes that her long and impressive legs are one of her best features. She’s appeared on the cover of several magazines, such as Vanity Fair, Glamour and GQ. Dji Dieng has one of the most legendary legs in the world.

6. Lauren Williams - 49″

There is a saying in Texas that everything’s bigger in Texas, and Lauren Williams is proof of that. Lauren Williams can lay claim to having the longest legs in Texas and at one point had the longest legs in America. Lauren Williams' legs are an incredible 49 inches from hip to heel. Her long legs have helped her gain a lot of attention and modeling work. In fact, when Lauren goes out she gets a lot of stares and comments on her long legs. In addition to modeling she also teaches at a children’s museum. Despite having legs that go for days she lives a pretty normal life and finds it funny that her legs have made her famous. In 2015, Lauren Williams appeared on an episode of Live with Kelly & Michael where they measured her legs. Kelly Ripa stands at 63 inches, while Lauren’s legs alone are 49 inches. Lauren Williams held the record of longest legs in America before losing the title.

5. Holly Burt - 49.5

Holly Burt is another challenger for the title of longest legs in America. Holly Burt has impressive 49.5-inch legs and stands at 6′5″. Growing up she was constantly teased for being tall and was called: daddy long legs, giraffe and tree. There is a very good chance that those people all regret teasing her now. Her long legs have served her well and she’s done some modeling. She’s a graphic design student and plans to focus on school for the time being. She does have plans to one day return to modeling. She does admit that she has difficulty finding clothes that fit and struggles to fit in certain cars. She once took a road trip with an ex-boyfriend in his mini cooper, which she calls the worst ride of her life. She moved to New York for school and admits that it’s a great place for a tall, single person as it's full of hot, tall single men. Holly Burt held the record of longest legs in America for a while before losing the title.

4. Adriana Karembeu - 49.5″

At one time model Adriana Karembeu could lay claim to having the longest legs in the world. In fact, she was recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the model with the longest legs in the world. Her long legs are an impressive 49.5 inches and she stands at 6′1″. She was born in Slovakia but resides in Paris, France. Initially, she was pursing a career in medicine but was discovered in a modeling competition and dropped out. She has done extensive work for Victoria’s Secret as well as other brands. Additionally, this beauty appeared on the French version of Dancing With the Stars. In 2009, she won the Vienna Fashion Award in the Style Icon category. She has also appeared in a number of French films. However, her incredibly long legs are often regarded as one of her best features as a model. She no longer holds the record for longest legs in the world but her legendary long limbs still gain a lot of attention.

3. Chase Kennedy - 51″

22-year-old Chase Kennedy is another long legged beauty that can lay claim to having the longest legs in America. She gives both Lauren Williams and Holly Burt a run for their money with her impressively long legs. Her long legs are 51 inches and she stands at 6′5″. She is actually only 0.9' off from holding the world record. She is from California and has done some modeling. With legs like hers it’s impossible not to become a model. However, her height has actually held her back a bit and she often gets turned down for modeling gigs because she’s deemed too tall. However, her long legs have gained a considerable amount of attention and she even appeared in a segment on CBS’s The Insider. She’s found more success in modeling in New York and Europe. Additionally, several articles have been written about her, including in The Daily Mail, Mirror and New York Post. Her long legs have served her well in modeling but she has many other interests she’d rather pursue. She enrolled in a Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration program.

2. Caroline Arthur - 51.5″

Caroline Arthur’s legs are so long and famous that they even caught the attention of a world famous Beatle, George Harrison. Caroline Arthur is a former model from Australia that has the longest legs in Australia. She also feels that she can challenge for longest legs in the world. Her impressively long legs are 51.5 inches, which is very close to the record holder Svetlana Pankratova. She stands at 6′2″ and with her long limbs, is often ogled at when in public. However, her long legs have both benefited her and have held her back at times. She gets many modeling gigs based on her height but has also been told that her legs don’t fit Australia’s standards. She once said, "I was told that I'm too tall for Australian beauty standards and couldn't model clothes because they just wouldn't fit me.” During her modeling career she caught the eye of George Harrison. They ended up dancing together one night but Caroline was completely unaware she was dancing with a famous Beatle. Caroline has stated that she would like to have an official measurement of her legs done because she feels that she can lay claim to having the longest legs in the world.

1. Svetlana Pankratova - 51.9″

Svetlana Pankratova currently holds the record in the Guinness Book of World Records for longest legs in the world. Her incredibly long legs are 51.9 inches from the heel to hipbone. She stands at an impressive 6′5″ and her shoe size is 13. She was born in Russia but lived in Spain for a while. She was a standout player in basketball at the Commonwealth University in Virginia, which should come as no surprise considering her long limbs. She set several records while at University, including single season field goals, career blocked shots and single season total blocked shots. Of course, she went on to set the record of having the longest legs in the world as well. She has since returned to Virginia where she married a local man and took on a job as an assistant coach on a girl’s basketball team. She receives a considerable amount of attention for her long legs. People often stare at her when she goes out but she’s used to all the stares and attention now.

Sources: guinnessworldrecords, express, dailymail, huffingtonpost