The World’s Most Tattooed Man on Earth Is Mistaken for the ‘Devil’

Lucky Diamond Rich, the world’s most tattooed man, often gets mistaken for the Devil when he is out shopping with his girlfriend. He holds the Guinness World Record for the most tattooed person on the planet, with over ‘200 percent’ of his body covered in ink. But his journey to becoming a world record holder is a story filled with dreams, adversity, and redemption.

Who Is Lucky Diamond Rich, the Most Tattooed Man?

Born Gregory Paul McLaren in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Lucky Diamond Rich is a performer, street artist, and tattoo enthusiast. He joined the circus at a young age to avoid falling into a life of crime and quickly found his calling in the world of street performances.

Lucky traveled the world, earning money for his circus acts while turning heads with his distinct tattoos. He swallows swords, juggles chainsaws, and rides a ten-foot unicycle. But beyond his eccentric performances, it’s his body art that makes him one of the most recognizable people on the planet.

The Journey to Becoming the Most Tattooed Man

In 1987, when Lucky was just 16, he got his first tattoo—a small juggling club on his hip, easy to hide from his disapproving mother. After a two-year gap, he got his second tattoo at 18 and then started getting inked as often as he could.

Lucky dedicated over 1,000 hours (more than 41 days) to tattoo artists worldwide. He started with an “extensively themed” bodysuit tattoo at 28, covering his entire torso. Then he moved on to layering tattoos on top of tattoos. This process earned him the Guinness World Record for the most tattooed man living. It surpassed the previous record holder, Tom Leopard, who was 99.9 percent tattooed.

Today, Lucky boasts over 200 percent tattoo coverage, including his eyelids, gums, and even his toes and in his ear canals. Despite the extensive ink, he jokes, “How many tattoos do I have? I have one, and it’s the biggest one on the planet.”

Misunderstood and Mistaken for the Devil

Lucky Diamond Rich’s striking appearance often evokes varied reactions. Some people are intrigued, while others are fearful. During an interview on the “I’ve Got News For You” podcast, he shared an experience where a Christian man mistook him for the Devil while he was shopping in Times Square.

“I was in New York shopping in Times Square, and this Christian fella—no offense to Christians—thought I was the Devil, and he lost it. He just absolutely lost it.”

Despite these confrontations, Lucky embraces his lifestyle. “It’s ironic that I had to tattoo my entire body to be the world record holder, to be comfortable in my own skin. That’s my journey.”

His Struggle With Addiction and Redemption

Despite his success and fame, Lucky faced personal challenges, slipping into addiction and homelessness. By 2017, he was living in a storage facility, addicted to crystal meth, and suffering from psychosis.

A friend working at a rehab center offered him help, and Lucky chose to pursue recovery over drugs. Today, he is clean, works for a construction company, and lives in an apartment with his dogs and partner, Megan.

“It’s like night and day if you look at my life three years ago and now,” says Lucky.

Embracing a New Life

At 49, Lucky Diamond Rich has found fulfillment and stability. His tattoos are a conversation starter at the supermarket. The children approach him for autographs because they recognize him from the Guinness World Records book as the most tattooed man. He now considers it a privilege to be known as the world’s most tattooed man.

“I get guys on the building site saying, ‘My son would like it if you could sign his 2020 Guinness World Record book,’ and it’s an absolute privilege and pleasure to be that person.”

Reflecting on his journey, Lucky recalls a street sweeper he once saw in London who exuded internal happiness. Today, he strives to be like that man and has found a similar sense of joy.

“Tattoos, performing, and the arts really saved my life,” says Lucky. “I can honestly say today that I am happy.”

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