Retired News Anchor's 1,531 Sock Pairs Break World Record

Sometimes the smallest details people notice about us can turn into something extraordinary. Retired CBS Philadelphia news anchor Jim Donovan just proved that by setting a Guinness World Record for the largest sock collection with 1,531 unique pairs.

Donovan's colorful footwear became his signature during his years on air. Viewers loved spotting what bright socks he'd wear each broadcast, and many started mailing him new pairs to add to his growing collection.

"A lot of people have sent me socks over the years with my face on it. I know, it's a little crazy," Donovan told Guinness World Records. The personal connection with viewers transformed a simple wardrobe choice into years of shared joy.

He timed his official record attempt to coincide with his retirement from CBS Philadelphia. Guinness World Records verified every single pair, confirming he'd earned the title fair and square.

Sunny's Take

What makes this story special isn't just the socks. It's that Donovan held onto a dream from childhood and finally made it happen.

"I remember I was eight years old and my parents gave me a copy of the Guinness World Records book, and I flipped through it, thinking 'Boy, I wonder if I could beat some of these records someday,'" he shared. That book sparked something in him that never went away.

Breaking a Guinness World Record was a bucket list item he carried for decades. While other kids might have forgotten that childhood wonder, Donovan kept it alive through his career and into retirement.

His story shows how everyday quirks can become meaningful connections. What started as colorful socks on television turned into viewers feeling close enough to send gifts. Those small moments of noticing and caring added up to something record breaking.

Now Donovan joins the ranks of record holders he admired as a child, proving it's never too late to chase those early dreams.