At 7-foot-7 ¼ inches, Allen has been listed in Guinness World Records as the tallest living woman since 1974, the Indianapolis Star reports.

Her abnormal growth began soon after birth due to a tumor on her pituitary gland that was removed in 1977.

"I would like to get to know someone that is approximately my height," Allen wrote in her first letter to Guinness World Records. "It is needless to say my social life is practically nil and perhaps the publicity from your book may brighten my life."

Being cited as the world's tallest woman brought Allen an offer from Italian film director Federico Fellini for a role in the movie Cassanova.

It also resulted in a first date with a 7-foot Illinois man.

Family friend Rita Rose says poor circulation and weak leg muscles left Allen dependent on a wheelchair in her later years.