He Pingping, dubbed 'world's shortest man' by Guinness, dies
| Rome
The world's shortest man has died in Italy, where he was to take part in a TV show, the program's production company said Tuesday.
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.
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.
The man's body will be flown to China soon once the paperwork is ready, Fernandez de Araoz said.
