At first glance, Rolf Buchholz is impossible to ignore. With full-body tattoos, hundreds of piercings, horn-like implants under his skin, and a split tongue, he’s one of the most visually striking people you’ll ever see. But what really surprises people isn’t how he looks now—it’s who he used to be.
Rolf grew up in Dortmund, Germany. He studied telecommunications, got his degree, and built a steady career in IT. For years, he lived what most would call a typical life—stable, quiet, and totally under the radar.
But something inside him wanted more. Not more money or success—more authenticity. He wanted to express who he truly was.
That journey started when he turned 40. Not exactly when most people make a huge lifestyle shift, but for Rolf, it was the perfect time. One tattoo became two, then came piercings, and before long, he was fully immersed in body modification.
Today, Rolf holds the Guinness World Record for the most body modifications—over 560 in total. His face alone has more than 170 piercings, and he’s had silicone implants added to his forehead and his tongue surgically split. Some call him the most transformed man on the planet.
But for Rolf, it’s not about shock value or fame.
“I’m not doing this for attention,” he says. “It’s about becoming who I really am.”
To him, body modification is personal. It’s his art. His identity. His story—etched and embedded into his own skin.
Despite his intense look, Rolf is known for being warm, soft-spoken, and incredibly approachable. People who meet him are often surprised by how friendly and grounded he is.
Of course, not everyone gets it. In 2014, he was denied entry into Dubai because authorities thought he might be involved in “black magic.” He later found out it was simply because of how he looked.
Today, Rolf travels the world, speaks at events, and continues to challenge the way society thinks about beauty, identity, and self-expression.
His message? “I didn’t change who I was—I just stopped hiding.”
So, what about you? Would you ever use body art to show the world who you really are? Share your thoughts in the comments 👇
