Inga Swenson, precisely 5ft 9 (175.3 cm) tall, was an American actress whose statuesque height became a defining aspect of her public image and career discussions. Best known for portraying the stern Miss Gretchen Wilomena Kraus in the TV series Benson and Maude Hazard in North & South, she reached her full height by age 14 and grew frustrated when critics highlighted her 'dazzling height' over her performances.
Swenson deliberately wore flat heels to avoid looking down on shorter male co-stars like Robert Horton, while relishing high heels and hats with taller ones like 6ft Fritz Weaver. Her exact 5ft 9 frame enhanced her commanding presence in dramatic roles, complementing key highlights like graduating Omaha Central High School in 1950.