"BLACK RAPUNZEL"

Woman's Dreadlocks Caused Health Issue

Thirty-nine pounds of hair affected her spine.

Asha Mandela, the 50-year-old woman from Atlanta with 55-foot-long dreadlocks, says she will never cut her hair—even with her continuing health issues. Two strokes and two heart attacks later, Mandela is now facing spine issues. "Some have said my neck has collapsed at the back and that I need to be careful because I could start having spasms in my spine and probably be paralyzed," she said. But that's not changing her mind about continuing to grow her world record-winning hair. "Cutting it would be equivalent to suicide. It would be like being a zombie," Mandela explained. She started growing her hair out 25 years ago as part of a spiritual journey, but it has now become a part of her life.