Robert Earl Hughes (b. 4 June 1926 - d. 10 July 1958 in Baylis, Illinois) was, during his lifetime, the heaviest human being recorded in the history of the world. Hughes' excessive weight was attributed to a malfunctioning thyroid gland. His chest was measured at 3.15 metres (10.3 ft), and he weighed between 472 kilograms (1,041 lb) 485kg (1069lbs) at his heaviest. At the age of six, he weighed about 200 kilograms (440 lb); at ten, he weighed 380 kilograms (837 lb). By the time of his death, he weighed over 460 kilograms
During his adult life, Hughes made guest appearances at carnivals and fairs; plans to appear on the Ed Sullivan television 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 at 1041 pounds (472 kg).
note: Due to his massive weight when he hit half a ton (1000 lbs) he could only be weighed once every 6 months. hughes has always been mobile but could only walk 1200 meters an hour and needed to sit down/ or lean on his walking stick every few meters.