Alaska Woman’s Massive Mouth Shatters World Record

A Ketchikan, Alaska resident has officially claimed the Guinness World Record for the largest mouth gape (female), breaking the previous record by an astonishing 0.42 inches. Marie Pearl Zellmer Robinson’s jaw-dropping 2.98-inch vertical mouth opening has earned her global recognition after a meticulous verification process that included professional dental measurements and video documentation.

“I’ve always kind of known I had a big mouth,” Robinson told Guinness officials after receiving confirmation of her record. What began as a childhood quirk—showing off by fitting multiple Jenga blocks in her mouth to impress siblings—has transformed into worldwide recognition for the Alaskan entrepreneur, according to UPI.

Robinson’s achievement dethrones previous record-holder Samantha Ramsdell, a TikTok star whose 2.56-inch gape had stood as the benchmark since 2021. The new record represents a significant leap forward in the category, expanding the limit of what was previously thought possible.

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From Dollar Bill Test to Dental Certification

Robinson’s journey to the record books began when she stumbled across videos of the previous record holder online. “I just watched the videos a few times. I’m like, ‘Huh, that’s funny. I could fit that kind of stuff in my mouth too! Hey, I wonder if I can beat her,'” she recalled.

Her first self-test involved a simple but effective measuring tool: a U.S. dollar bill, which stands approximately 2.5 inches tall. When the bill fit easily into her vertical mouth opening, Robinson realized she might have record-breaking potential.

To make it official, Robinson visited her local dentist, Dr. David Albertson, who used precision steel calipers to measure her maximum mouth gape. The resulting measurement of 2.98 inches (7.62 centimeters) comfortably exceeded the previous record, as reported by Alaska Public.

The verification process itself proved challenging, with Robinson revealing she had to make multiple attempts to satisfy Guinness’s exacting documentation standards. Her first application over a year ago was rejected due to insufficient witness statements and filming issues. Interestingly, when she tried again, her gape had increased by a few millimeters, which she attributes to “practice.”

میری پرل نامی خاتون کا منہ دندان ساز کے ذریعے ناپا گیا اور اپنے 2.98 انچ کھُلے منہ کے ساتھ انہوں نے نیا گنیز ورلڈ ریکارڈ قائم کردیا۔
Largest Mouth Gape pic.twitter.com/dYU0L8B2Mr
— Awais Zia (@IamAwais_Zia) April 11, 2025

Unusual Anatomy Behind the Record

Unlike some physical records that require training or conditioning, Robinson’s achievement stems from a unique anatomical feature. “I’m pretty sure what happened is my jaw is just positioned in such a way that it’s just slightly further back,” she explained. “I can feel my jaw in my ear canal, which most people apparently don’t.”

This unusual jaw configuration allows Robinson to achieve mouth openings that would be physically impossible for most people. Despite her extraordinary ability, Robinson maintains a normal appearance when her mouth is closed—the remarkable difference only becomes apparent when she tilts her head back and opens wide.

In demonstration videos, Robinson showcases her record-breaking capacity by fitting surprising objects into her mouth, including a 12-ounce aluminum can, five Jenga blocks simultaneously, and even a baseball—feats that leave viewers astonished.

Local Business Owner Joins Ketchikan’s Record Legacy

Beyond her newly achieved world record, Robinson is known locally as the co-founder of Ketch-A-Courier, a delivery service whose white cars emblazoned with halibut logos are familiar sights around Ketchikan. The entrepreneur’s record attempt was partly inspired by her community’s previous brush with Guinness fame.

In 2013, nearly 2,000 Ketchikan residents participated in breaking the world record for “largest rainboot race,” a title the Alaskan town held until being dethroned by an Irish athletic club. Robinson had hoped to join that attempt but couldn’t get the day off work—making her current record a form of redemption.

“Now I get to join the rest of them and have a Guinness World Records title with a lot of other people in town,” she said, expressing pride in contributing to Ketchikan’s record-breaking legacy.

Record Already Under Threat—By Its Own Holder

While Robinson now officially holds the world title, she doesn’t plan to rest on her laurels. “I welcome the challenge of someone else going after it, and I’m pretty sure I can beat my own record in the future as well,” she told Guinness World Records, suggesting that her 2.98-inch measurement might not represent her maximum potential.

For perspective, the male record in this category stands significantly higher. Minnesota’s Isaac Johnson holds the title for largest male mouth gape at an astounding 4.014 inches (10.196 centimeters), as noted by People.

While Robinson acknowledges that her unusual ability can sometimes elicit strange reactions—”When I do [show it off], it kind of creeps people out,” she admitted—she now embraces her distinctive trait with pride. What was once just a party trick has transformed into a globally recognized achievement, proving that even the most unusual natural gifts can find their place in the record books.

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