The woman known for having the world’s longest nails has finally answered the question people ask her most. Diana Armstrong, from Minnesota, has not trimmed her nails since 1997. Together, they measure more than 42 feet, making them longer than a school bus. But the reason she refuses to cut them is deeply personal.

Diana’s daughter Latisha died suddenly from an asthma attack in 1997. The day before, the 16-year-old had polished and shaped her mother’s nails, just as she did every weekend. After the loss, Diana could not bring herself to trim them again. She said they became a way to hold on to her daughter’s memory. For years, she kept that reason private, calling her nails “a part of me.”

Her family now understands the meaning behind her choice. One daughter said she accepts it completely, knowing it helps Diana feel close to Latisha. Today, Diana’s grandchildren help care for her nails, often spending hours on each one. It can take days to finish polishing them, using multiple bottles of polish and even woodworking tools for filing.

The nails have changed many parts of Diana’s daily life. She cannot drive, struggles with clothing zippers, and needs extra space in public restrooms. She always waits for the largest stall because her nails cannot fit in the smaller ones.

People often ask how she manages basic tasks, especially using the bathroom. Diana says it is the same process everyone else uses, though she adjusts the way she handles toilet paper and washes her hands one at a time.

For her, these challenges are part of honoring a promise made during the hardest moment of her life.