Sodimedjo, commonly known as Mbah Gotho (Grandpa Gotho), a supercentenarian from Central Java, has formal papers proving his age, and the Indonesian records office has certified his birth date as December 31, 1870.
Even though Indonesia only began tracking births in 1900, their officials assured the BBC that his papers were authentic, citing documentation he submitted and interviews with him.
Who is the longest-living human in history?
Methuselah, the son of Enoch and Lamech, and the grandfather of Noah, is credited with the longest lifespan in the Bible, dying at the age of 969.
He claimed to be 157/160 years and 133 days old at his death. However, research suggests he was 97 years old.
Mbah Gotho could be the longest human to ever lived, with a claimed age of 157/160 years and 133 days. However, research suggests he was 97 years old.
However, Gotho’s claims seem the most plausible, which, if verified, would make him the oldest person in history, surpassing French supercentenarian Jeanne Calment, who died at the age of 122 in 1997. However, his age was not independently verified.
Gotho spent his time listening to the radio while he was alive, as his vision had deteriorated to the point where he could no longer watch television.
When asked about the secret to a long life, he replied, “I don’t know. I just keep living.” He died in 2017 in his village in Central Java.
Interestingly, the Bible records that humans once lived up to 800 years before God shortened their lifespan to 120. However, scientific evidence suggests 30,000 years ago ancient humans did not live beyond 30 years.
Conclusion
Mbah Gotho’s incredible claim has sparked interest in the scientific community, with many wondering if he could indeed be the oldest person in history. While his age has not been independently verified, his story serves as a reminder of the incredible diversity of human lifespans and the mysteries that remain to be uncovered.
FAQs
Q: How old did Mbah Gotho claim to be?
A: He claimed to be 157/160 years and 133 days old.
Q: Was his age independently verified?
A: No, his age was not independently verified.
Q: Who is the longest-living human in history according to the Bible?
A: According to the Bible, Methuselah lived to be 969 years old.
Q: How did Mbah Gotho spend his time in his later years?
A: He spent his time listening to the radio due to his deteriorating vision.
Q: What was the secret to Mbah Gotho’s long life?
A: According to him, he didn’t know and just kept living.