US man sets Guinness World Record with 5-foot-long beard grown over two decades

A man from the US has claimed a Guinness World Records title with his 5 ft 3 in natural beard lock. His two-decade growth highlights a call for kindness towards people who look different.

In Short

• Matthew Hey from Kansas holds record for longest natural beard lock at 5 ft 3 in.
• He surpassed previous record by nearly two feet, set by Rudolf Martino.
• Matthew grew his beard for 20 years, starting to braid it after children's request.

A 54-year-old man from the US has earned a Guinness World Records title for having the longest natural beard locks on a living person, with his facial hair stretching more than five feet.

According to Guinness World Records, Matthew Hey from Baldwin City, Kansas, measured his beard lock at 5 ft 3 in (1.603 metres), comfortably surpassing the previous record of 3 ft 6 in (1.06 metres) held by Rudolf Martino.

Hey’s record is specifically for natural beard locks, a category distinct from the Guinness World Records title for the longest beard on a living person. That separate record has been held by Sarwan Singh of Canada, whose beard measured 8 ft 3 in (2.54 metres) when last recorded.

Matthew has been growing his beard for about two decades. Guinness World Records reported that he had always kept a shorter beard, but began growing it out after some children asked him to braid it.

He eventually liked the look, and over time, the braid naturally matted into a single lock. The beard continued growing by around 3 to 4 inches (7 to 10 cm) each year.

It eventually became long enough for Hey to wrap it around his waist like a belt.

Despite the extraordinary length, Hey said his beard is not what defines him. Recalling a conversation with a teenage girl who asked whether his facial hair defined him, he told Guinness World Records, “I answered not at all.”

“The beard came not because of what I did, but because of what I did not do,” he added, referring to the fact that he stopped cutting his hair.

When Matthew officially attempted the record in Independence, Missouri, his beard lock was stretched across almost the entire length of a large wooden board.

The measurement put him nearly two feet (0.6 metres) ahead of the previous record holder, Guinness World Records reported.

Even after claiming the title, Matthew does not intend to stop growing his beard. He joked about the possibility of eventually cutting it, wondering how much a world-record beard might be worth and whether it could even be insured.

“I do not plan on cutting my beard - or dying - but sometimes stuff happens,” he said, according to Guinness World Records.

For now, his grooming routine remains remarkably simple: shampoo, conditioner and no trimming.

The length has, however, created a practical problem. Since the beard can reach the floor when left loose, Matthew usually folds it several times and ties it up to make everyday activities easier.

While Matthew's unusual facial hair attracts attention in public, Guinness World Records noted that he has plenty of interests beyond his appearance.

He is passionate about cars and computers, particularly Mazda RX-7 sports cars and Amiga computers. He also enjoys weightlifting, video games and spending time with his loved ones.

“Most of my friends would probably associate me more with these hobbies, even more so than anything about my beard,” Matthew told Guinness World Records.

He said strangers usually react with brief compliments or questions about whether the beard is real. He has also encountered people who judge him because of his appearance.

Matthew Hey said he believes the issue is less about beard-growing and more about being accepting of people who look different.

“Be tolerant and kind to people regardless of their appearance,” he said.

And for anyone taking inspiration from his record during No-Shave November, Hey has a simple message: “On your marks, get set, grow... and be blessed!”

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