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'Oldest human' dies in Indonesia 'aged 146' | 'Oldest human' dies in Indonesia 'aged 146' |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Indonesian man who claimed to be 146 years old - the longest living human ever - has died in his village in Central Java. | The Indonesian man who claimed to be 146 years old - the longest living human ever - has died in his village in Central Java. |
According to his papers, Sodimedjo, also known as Mbah Ghoto (grandpa Ghoto), was born in December 1870. | According to his papers, Sodimedjo, also known as Mbah Ghoto (grandpa Ghoto), was born in December 1870. |
But Indonesia only started recording births in 1900 - and there have been mistakes before. | But Indonesia only started recording births in 1900 - and there have been mistakes before. |
Yet officials told the BBC his papers were valid, based on documents he provided and interviews with him. | Yet officials told the BBC his papers were valid, based on documents he provided and interviews with him. |
He was taken to hospital on 12 April because of deteriorating health. Six days later he insisted on checking out to return home. | He was taken to hospital on 12 April because of deteriorating health. Six days later he insisted on checking out to return home. |
"Since he came back from the hospital, he only ate spoonfuls of porridge and drank very little," his grandson Suyanto told the BBC. | "Since he came back from the hospital, he only ate spoonfuls of porridge and drank very little," his grandson Suyanto told the BBC. |
"It only lasted a couple of days. From that moment on to his death, he refused to eat and drink." | "It only lasted a couple of days. From that moment on to his death, he refused to eat and drink." |
Patience and love | Patience and love |
When asked about the secret of his longevity, Mbah Ghoto told the BBC last year that patience was key and that he had "a long life because I have people that love me looking after me". | |
A heavy smoker until the end, he outlived four wives, 10 siblings and all his children. | A heavy smoker until the end, he outlived four wives, 10 siblings and all his children. |
In his village, he was a local hero famous for telling great stories about the wars against Japan and the Dutch colonisers. | In his village, he was a local hero famous for telling great stories about the wars against Japan and the Dutch colonisers. |
Grandson Suryanto said his grandfather was buried on Monday morning in a local cemetery plot he bought several years ago. | Grandson Suryanto said his grandfather was buried on Monday morning in a local cemetery plot he bought several years ago. |
A tombstone that had sat beside his house for many years was placed above the grave. | A tombstone that had sat beside his house for many years was placed above the grave. |
"He didn't ask much. Before he died, he just wanted us, his family, to let him go," his grandson said. | |
If independently verified, his age would make Grandpa Ghoto older than French centenarian Jeanne Calment, who was 122 when she died, and is considered the longest living human in recorded history. | If independently verified, his age would make Grandpa Ghoto older than French centenarian Jeanne Calment, who was 122 when she died, and is considered the longest living human in recorded history. |