Man with worlds longest nose at peace with super schnoz before death

Publish date: 2024-05-07

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Who “nose” to whom this title belongs now?

A Turkish man who was given the illustrious title of the world’s largest nose has died at the age of 75.

Mehmet Özyürek’s schnoz measured a whopping 3.46 inches — or about the size of a playing card.

His nose was at least an inch longer than the average male nose, which is about 2.2 inches long, according to London Facial Plastics Surgery.

His friends and family recalled Özyürek being extremely proud of his snout, and often boasted about his superior sense of smell.

Local media reported that Özyürek, who lived in the city of Artvin, was about to undergo brain surgery before he passed away, but tragically suffered a heart attack last week.

His sizable sniffer earned him the Guinness World Records in Los Angeles in 2001, and again in 2010 in Italy. His most recent measurement was in 2021, again confirming his place in the top spot.

His son, Barış, told local media he wanted to “sincerely thank” the people of Artvin and their fans.

“We have pain,” he said, describing his father as “very kind-hearted.”

Özyürek was proud of his record-breaking nose. Getty Images
HIs nose measured 3.46 inches long. Getty Images

“He tried not to offend anyone,” he continued. “My father was not only at peace with his nose, he was at peace with his life.”

Özyürek spoke to Guinness in 2021 saying he loves his nose — and his life.

“The world likes it, Guinness World Records likes it, of course, my wife likes it too,” he gushed, adding he was “extremely pleased” to represent Turkey, the Black Sea and Artvin on an international scale.

“Some become martyrs, some become Prime Ministers and some become record holders,” he quipped at the time.

The 75-year-old reportedly suffered a heart attack before he was due to undergo brain surgery. Getty Images

“My sense of smell is different from other people,” he boasted. “I say ‘there is a smell here.’ Other people say ‘we don’t smell that smell,’ I say, ‘you may not smell it but I can.’ “

He added that he believes his elongated feature was genetic, but his children didn’t inherit it.

“There was no explanation by doctors, but I have it in my family, so my father has it, my uncles have it, I have it,’ Özyürek explained in a past interview.

Although his nose was a source of bullying in the past — admitting he was called “big nose” by classmates — he was very proud of his appearance.

“God made me like this, there is nothing that can be done in this situation,” he said simply. “I learned to live in peace with my physique.”

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