Melina Mercouri, precisely 5ft 6 ½ (168.9 cm) tall, commanded the screen with her statuesque presence in iconic films like Never on Sunday, Topkapi, and Phaedra. Her height enhanced her bold, fiery image, notably outshining Gina Lollobrigida in Where the Hot Wind Blows, where the Italian star was reportedly envious of Mercouri's taller frame. This physical stature amplified her roles as a passionate Greek actress and singer, while her political career as Minister of Culture solidified her towering legacy as an activist and socialist icon.