Sacramento Pig Hits 1M Followers, Earns World Record

A miniature potbelly pig wearing a propeller hat just became the most famous swine on the internet, and his journey is melting hearts across Sacramento and beyond.

Merlin, a four-year-old Vietnamese potbelly pig, officially earned a Guinness World Record for having the most Instagram followers of any pig. With over 1.1 million followers watching his every oink, the Sacramento resident has turned social media fame into something much more meaningful for his owner, Mina Alali.

What makes Merlin special isn't just his adorable propeller hat. The clever pig communicates using over 30 buttons that play recorded words when pressed, asking for treats, requesting outdoor time, and sharing his thoughts with the world.

Alali adopted Merlin in 2020 after walking away from a music career that didn't align with her values. She had already found viral success training her bearded dragon Mochi during the pandemic, earning nearly 1 million TikTok followers with reptile videos.

When a coworker asked what was stopping her from getting a pig, Alali realized nothing was. Four months after bringing baby Merlin home, she started his Instagram account, and audiences instantly fell in love with the tiny pig's big personality.

The social media success allowed Alali to leave her day job and work full-time creating content while volunteering at the Wildlife Care Association of Sacramento. But Merlin's biggest gift came in 2023 when he played matchmaker.

Alex Saraceno discovered Merlin on Instagram and sent Alali a direct message that read simply: "I want to marry you." Despite the bold introduction, the two fell in love and are now engaged, sharing their Natomas home with Merlin and a menagerie that includes rats, a former prison pigeon named Al Capone, another bearded dragon, and a dog.

Sunny's Take

When Alali applied for the Guinness World Record, she discovered another pig already held the title with slightly fewer followers. Her playful competitiveness kicked in: "I hate to take your spot, but I really want this plaque."

Now the 180-pound Merlin is officially "Officially Amazing" according to Guinness. The pig who helped his mom find purpose, love, and a fulfilling career proves that sometimes the best things in life come in unexpected, button-pushing packages.

"He's pretty much the best thing that's ever happened to me," Alali said. "Next to my fiancé."

From a childhood dream to a world record, Merlin's story shows how following your heart can lead to adventures you never imagined.