I have spent over a decade writing about the unique world of collectors, who embark on missions to collect rare stamps, construct full-scale Star Wars droids, or accumulate Victorian coins. But nothing really can prepare you for the Liesl Benecke minion collection. Imagine walking into a house in Perth with more than 1,000 pairs of goggles staring back at you from every shelf, hallway and even the back seat of the car. It’s colourful, it’s a little bit chaotic, and honestly, it is one of the most fun things I’ve ever stumbled upon.
Here we are in early February 2026, and Liesl is not just a fan. She’s a bona fide world record holder whose “yellow army” has been, and continues to be, a global talking point. The rest of us emerge from the cinema with thoughts like, “Yeah, that was a laugh,” but when Liesl took her daughters to see Despicable Me back in 2010, everything fell into place. It wasn’t just cartoons she saw; it was an avenue of pure, unadulterated bliss.
Anyway, if you’re wondering how a simple trip to the movies turns into a house full of “canary-coloured buddies”, let’s look at how she actually pulled it off.
The £10,000 Yellow Hoard: Breaking the 1,000 Mark
The big news dominating the UK and Australia at the moment is that Liesl has officially cemented her place in the history books. On February 16, 2025, she was awarded the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of Minions memorabilia. At the time of the official count, she had exactly 1,035 unique items.
Here’s the thing about Guinness records — they don’t just let you count any old rubbish. You can’t have duplicates. If you have ten of the same “Stuart” plushie, that is going to count as only one.
Reaching that 1,000-plus point required Liesl to be super self-disciplined. She scoured Facebook Marketplace and eBay for months, even asking a relative from distant towns to go on “Minion hunts” in search of the final one-of-a-kind character she needed to break the record.
The absurd part is that she actually began the official process with “just” 800 items. She found those last 200 items under a serious crunch. It was not just hoarding; it was a tactical operation. According to the Guinness World Records 2026 book, her collection is now insured for an eye-watering A$10,000 (around £5,200).
From Swarovski Crystals to Permanent Ink
Don’t think that this is just a pile of plastic toys, as there is real value in there. If you’re a collector, you know that every hoard has its “Holy Grail”. For Liesl, it’s her Swarovski crystal Minions. These are not standard supermarket toys – they cost up to $1,000 a pop.
But if you ask her the piece that is her favourite, she won’t choose the crystals. She’ll show you her forearm. She’s got two Minion tattoos — one of Stuart laughing and another with his tongue out. Her boyfriend, Mark, is a tattoo artist, so he did the deed. Because it’s not “merchandise”, she wouldn’t have been able to count that piece toward her Guinness record, but as she puts it, this is one piece from the collection that she gets to take anywhere.
Anyway, the latest word from her recent trip to Universal Studios Singapore (USS) is that she’s added 42 more items to her tally, including a limited-edition piece exclusive to the park. She’s a self-proclaimed “Minion snob” now—she won’t just buy anything. It has to have the right “vibe.”
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Life in the “Minion Museum”
Liesl’s home in Jindalee, Western Australia, has basically become a living museum. When I say they are everywhere, I mean everywhere.
- The Living Room: Bookcases surrounding the TV are packed with Minion LEGO sets.
- The Hallway: Lined with movie posters and framed jigsaw puzzles.
- The Car: This is my favourite bit. She has a massive, 1-metre-tall plush Stuart who rides in the back seat. And yes, he wears a seatbelt.
The most fascinating part? She even brings the obsession to work. Working in a government welfare department can be pretty heavy, and she says the bright yellow faces on her desk help keep the mood light.
Her co-workers have even leaned into it, crowning her with a “Minion Sash” when her world record was confirmed. Honestly, we all need a “Minion Lady” in our office.
Why the Obsession? The Search for a Silver Lining
People always ask the “why” behind something like this. Is it for the money? The fame? Not according to Liesl. “The Minions are my source of happiness,” she told Guinness World Records. “Their weird and wacky ways never fail to make me laugh.”
In fact, her daughters suggested she monetise her social media, but she’s resisted. For her, the joy comes from the hunt and the smiles she gets from strangers when they see a giant Minion buckled into her car at a red light.
She’s been very open about the fact that she has had some gruelling times in her life, as many of us have. She turned to the bright, positive energy of these characters as a form of emotional salve. It’s about always looking for the silver lining. She also has plans to eventually donate the whole collection to a children’s hospital, so the fun doesn’t stop there.
But don’t think she’s slowing down anytime soon. She is currently shopping for a new car — and yes, she does want it to be yellow, perhaps with a tiny pair of dungarees painted on the side.
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FAQs: The Liesl Benecke Collection
What is the world record for the largest Minion collection?
As of early 2026, the record is held by Liesl Benecke with 1,035 unique, official items confirmed by Guinness World Records.
What is the most expensive item in the Liesl Benecke minion collection?
The most valuable pieces are her Swarovski crystal Minion figurines, which cost approximately A$1,000 each.
Does she have any Minion tattoos?
Yes, she has two tattoos on her forearm of the character Stuart, which were inked by her partner.
