First person to have climbed all of the world's 8000+ peaks (1986).
First person to summit Mount Everest on the Tibetian side, without bottled oxygen (1980).
During his first major Himalayan climb, Nanga Parbat, he reached the summit, but lost his brother Günther on the descent (1970).
First person to climb an 8000 meter peak alpine style (no established
camps along the route) - 1975, Gasherbrum I (also called Hidden Peak,
with Peter Habeler)
First person, together with Hans Kammerlander, to traverse two 8000 meter peaks, Gasherburm I and II, without returning to base camp (1984).
Crossed Antarctica on skis together with Arved Fuchs (1989).
Founded the Messner Mountain Museum on Sigmundskron Castle (2006).
His father Josef was a teacher.
Lives with Sabine Stehle in a castle in Southern Tyrol. They have together three children: Magdalena (b. 1988), Gesar Simon (b. 1990) and Anna (b. 2001). He also has daughter Làyla (b. 1981) with Nena Holguin.
In his book "My Quest for the Yeti", he claimed to have seen and killed a Yeti, considering it the Himalayan Brown Bear (1997).
Member of the European Parliament for the Italian Greens from 1999 to 2004.
First summited Mount Everst, together with Peter Habeler, in 1978.
Walked 2000 kilometers through the Gobi desert (2004).