1. World’s smallest-waisted woman

Pensioner Cathie Jung has worn tight-fitting corsets for years to become the woman with the world's smallest waist. The super-fit 70-year-old's miniscule middle measures just 15 inches (38cm) - making her figure distinctly hourglass. Jung is an exponent of tightlacing, the practice of altering body shape through wearing tightly-laced corsets.

Learn more about Cathie Jung at her official website

2. Fastest female suitcase escapologist

Leslie Tipton earned her place in the Guinness Book of Records by becoming the fastest person to escape from a zipped suitcase. In 2007, Leslie wiggled her way free from the confines of her baggage in just 13.31 seconds. She even got to showcase her unique skill on the Oprah Winfrey show.

Learn more about record-breaking contortionist Leslie Tipton at her official website

3. The world’s oldest living woman

Controversy and argument surrounds this world record. The Guinness Book of Records lists American supercentenarian Edna Parker as the world’s oldest living woman. The 114-year-old Indiana resident took the record after her predecessor Yone Minagawa died in Japan in August 2007.

However, Edna’s place in the record books is now under threat after a woman in Turkey claimed to be a whopping 6 years older. 120-year-old Mariam Amash was discovered after listing the year of her birth as 1888 on an application form for an identity card. Despite Amash’s claim, she will not replace Parker in the Guinness Book of Records until her age can be independently verified.

4. The world’s most pierced woman

According to the Guinness Book of Records, Elaine Davidson is the world’s most pierced woman. When examined by official adjudicators, Davidson had 462 piercings with 192 in her face alone. By August 2001, the number had grown to have 720. When Davidson performed at the Edinburgh Festival in 2005, The Guardian reported that she now had 3,920 body piercings. The total weight of her piercings is estimated to be about 3 kilograms. Davidson was born in Brazil and originally worked as a nurse. She currently lives in Edinburgh.

Find out more about Elaine Davidson with Live Search

5. The world’s tallest living woman

Standing at a towering 7 feet 8 inches (2.33 metres) tall, 35-year-old Yao Defen was confirmed as the world’s tallest living woman after her height was independently verified in late 2007. Yao’s gigantism is due to a tumour in her pituitary gland. She has suffered from severe health problems bought on by harsh treatment she received after agreeing to work for a circus. Until the confirmation of Yao’s height, the title of world’s tallest woman belonged to 7 feet 7 inch tall Sandy Allen who, curiously enough, lives in the same retirement community as current world’s oldest woman Edna Parker.