Perth Woman's Minion Obsession Earns Guinness World Record Recognition
In the latest feature of PerthNow's captivating Perth Collectors series, Liesl Benecke has proudly showcased her extraordinary passion for Minions, which has now been officially validated by the Guinness Book of World Records. Her collection stands as the largest assembly of Minions memorabilia anywhere on the planet.
A Joyful Obsession That Grew Into a World Record
"I'm mad about Minions," declared a beaming Liesl Benecke during her interview. "They're so happy and joyful." This infectious enthusiasm has translated into a staggering assortment of items that fills her Perth home. The collection includes a vast array of figurines, complete Lego sets, specially designed cutlery, and an extensive wardrobe of Minion-themed clothing.
Ms Benecke's journey with the little yellow characters from the Despicable Me and Minions film franchise began in 2010 when the first movie captivated audiences worldwide. Her collecting habit "snowballed" dramatically in 2018 following an inspiring visit to Universal Studios, where her admiration for the characters deepened significantly.
From Everyday Items to Extraordinary Treasures
The Perth collector's assortment features practically every conceivable Minion-themed product available on the market. "I've got pretty much everything you can think of — knives, forks, spoons, bowls, cups, plates, I've even got a Minion blender, water bottles, lunch boxes, fridge magnets, containers... there's a lot," she explained with evident pride.
Among the thousands of items, several stand out as particularly remarkable:
- Candy figurines that capture the Minions' playful spirit
- Banana-scented perfumes that evoke the characters' favourite fruit
- A $1000 crystal statue depicting King Bob the Minion in exquisite detail
Yet none of these valuable pieces compare to what Ms Benecke considers her favourite item of permanent memorabilia — an intricate Minion tattoo adorning her forearm. Although not officially part of her Guinness-recognised collection, this body art holds special significance for the passionate collector.
"This was my boyfriend's work... he's very proud of it. It's a very good tattoo. Everyone notices it," Ms Benecke shared, highlighting the personal connection behind this unique piece.
More Than Just Collecting: Building Connections Through Shared Passion
For the outgoing Perth resident, collecting Minions memorabilia represents far more than simple acquisition. It has become a meaningful way to connect with people and spread joy through the characters' cheerful nature.
"If I'm buying things off Facebook Marketplace, I'll often tell them, oh, you know, this is going to go into my collection. And they are always curious. And so, you know, we end up talking about Minions, which I could go on and on about for hours," she said with a genuine laugh.
This social aspect of her hobby has transformed what might otherwise be simple transactions into opportunities for shared enthusiasm and community building.
Part of a Broader Celebration of Perth's Collecting Community
Liesl Benecke's remarkable Minion collection represents the third instalment in PerthNow's engaging four-part Perth Collectors series. The publication has committed to releasing new episodes every Tuesday, showcasing the diverse and fascinating collecting passions that thrive within the Perth community.
Previous features have included a Perth man's extremely rare Barbie doll collection and a star-studded Rolling Stone collection discovered in the city, demonstrating the wide variety of interests that capture Western Australians' imaginations.
