There are billions of people on Earth, each living lives so different from ours that it’s hard to imagine. This story is about one of those people—a man who lived a life unlike any other.
Are you ready for something truly unique? Keep reading to find out more!
Most people around the world, no matter where they’re from, enjoy taking baths or showers. The frequency may vary, but everyone agrees that staying clean is important.
But Amou Haji, a man from Iran, thought differently. He decided not to take a bath for 67 years! Yes, 67 years without a single wash! And Amou Haji insisted he had his reasons.
Born in 1928 in the small town of Dez Gah, Iran, Amou Haji had a life that was as unique as his name. No one knew his real name, so the locals just called him “Amou Haji,” which means “old man.” Some say he became a recluse after losing the love of his life, which led him to live alone, away from everyone.
Before dying at the age of 94 in 2022, Amou Haji was known as the 'World's Dirtiest Man.' He lived in a cinder block shack and had not bathed with water or soap for over 60 years.
— Fascinating (@fasc1nate) December 19, 2023
Haji's other peculiar habits were well documented, which included consuming roadkill, smoking a… pic.twitter.com/7yDmRdP5OC
Amou Haji’s home was a small shelter on the edge of town, rumored to be built of simple cinder blocks. Even though he had some unusual habits, he didn’t seem to bother anyone.
For Amou Haji, hygiene was not a priority. He never took a bath for more than 60 years. And when his beard or hair grew too long, he didn’t use a razor or scissors like most people. Instead, he set them on fire! Yes, you read that right—he used fire to trim his beard and hair! As a result, his skin and hair turned the same shade of gray.
Despite not bathing for decades, Amou Haji lived to be 94 years old. People couldn’t believe it, but he seemed to be in surprisingly good health!
While Amou Haji avoided bathing, he didn’t avoid drinking water. Even though people believed he was afraid of it, he would drink up to five liters a day from an old, rusty tin can. He didn’t care about the dirt or rust on the can at all!
When it came to food, Amou Haji had his own ideas. He preferred to find his meals on the ground rather than accept fresh food from others. He was known to eat roadkill—even if it was rotting or old. “Porcupine is my favorite!” he once declared.
And his unusual habits didn’t end there. Amou Haji also smoked, but not just cigarettes. He was often seen puffing on multiple cigarettes at once. He even smoked animal dung from a pipe!
Despite all of this, people were amazed by his health. Dr. Gholamreza Molavi, from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, examined him before he passed away and was surprised by what he found. “It’s incredible,” said Dr. Molavi. “He was in good health, considering his lifestyle!”
Amou Haji did have trichinosis, a parasitic infection usually caused by eating infected meat. Given his habit of eating dead animals found on the side of the road, it wasn’t a shock. But even this didn’t seem to affect him much.
Sadly, after living for so many years in his unique way, Amou Haji passed away at the age of 94. Interestingly, he died just a few months after his neighbors convinced him to take his first bath in decades.
Amou Haji’s story is one of a kind. He truly lived life on his own terms, no matter how strange they seemed to others. His life reminds us that there are many different ways to live—and that sometimes, it’s the most unexpected people who live the longest.
Check out the video:
He allegedly passed away months after having his first bath: