Lee Redmond, a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah, once held a remarkable world record for the longest fingernails on a pair of hands (female), measuring a total of 8.65 meters.
Since 1979, Lee had meticulously cared for her nails, employing daily rituals that included soaking them in warm olive oil and applying multiple coats of nail strengtheners and polish to maintain their condition. Her journey began as a personal challenge to see how long her nails could grow before they became unmanageable.
However, Lee’s record-setting achievement came to a sudden halt following a severe car accident. While riding as a passenger, the vehicle she was in collided with three other cars, causing her to be ejected onto the road. Tragically, in the chaos, her nails were completely ripped off. Lee recalls the immediate aftermath of the accident, where she noticed a fingernail on the ground and broke down in tears.
A compassionate witness at the scene collected the remnants of her nails, which Lee now keeps in a plastic bag as a poignant reminder of her past accolades.
Despite the physical and emotional pain of the accident, Lee reflects on her time with her long nails with a sense of pride. The lengthy nails presented numerous challenges in her daily life, including simple tasks like using airplane bathrooms, which forced her to fast for 24 hours before flights to fit into the small spaces. Nevertheless, Lee managed to adapt and live a fulfilling life, caring for her grandchildren, handling household tasks, and even writing.
Though Lee no longer holds the current record for the longest fingernails—a title now belonging to Ayanna Williams—she remains the record holder for the longest ever recorded.
