Robert Earl Hughes was born in Monticello, Missouri, the son of Abraham Guy Hughes and Georgia Alice Weatharby. He was born a large baby at birth, "weighing a hefty but not abnormal" and was a "fairly average-size baby until he contracted whooping cough when he was about five months old." The whooping cough was believed to be involved in his extraordinary condition. The family moved to Fishhook, Illinois, when Robert was six months old. He had two younger brothers, Guy B. Hughes and Donald Hughes.
Condition
Hughes' excessive weight was attributed to a malfunctioning thyroid gland. His chest was measured at 3.15 metres, and weighed between 472kg and 485kg at his heaviest. At the age of six, he weighed about 200lbs, at ten he weighed 380lbs. During his adult life, Hughes made guest appearances at carnivals and fairs; plans to appear on the Ed Sullivantelevision program were announced but never came about. On July 10, 1958, Hughes contracted a case of measles, which soon developed into uremia, resulting in his death. He was 32 years old. He is often said to have been buried in a piano case. This error stems from a sentence that appeared in successive editions of the Guinness Book of World Records, which read, "He was buried in a coffin the size of a piano case." His headstone notes that he was the world's heaviest man at a confirmed 1041 pounds. In 1957, now traveling with Guy and Lillian, Robert Earl honored bookings throughout the country. Walking, even with his massive cane, had started to become difficult for the 31-year-old. Word reached the carnival that Abe Hughes, Robert Earl’s father, had died at age 79. Guy and Lillian returned to Illinois for the funeral, but Robert Earl stayed on, believing it his duty to honor his commitments. At season’s end, he returned to Guy’s farm, unable to walk more than 20 ft without the assistance of family, who would follow closely, lugging a 5 foot wide, Steel reinforced chair for in case of tiredness.
Career
Some income was made from selling photographs of himself. During his adult life, Hughes made guest appearances at carnivals and fairs. At age 27, he joined a traveling roadshow, often accompanied by some of his family. Plans to appear on The Ed Sullivan Showvariety television program were announced but never materialized.
Demise
In 1958, Hughes contracted a case of measles, possibly from his nieces. While traveling with the roadshow, he developed a rash in July in Nappanee, Indiana, his fingernails had turned dark blue, and he finally sought medical attention. He developed uremia. Unable to be treated at the nearest hospital in Bremen, Indiana, doctors came to him at his trailer. However, they were unable to save him. He was buried in small church cemetery in Benville, Illinois in Brown County near his hometown, Fishhook. About 2,000 people attended the funeral.
