The oldest man alive is a 145-year-old Indonesian

JAKARTA, Indonesia – The world’s oldest human alive is from Indonesia.

Based on Mbah Gotho’s official identification as confirmed by the archives office in Sragen, Sodimejo, Mbah Gohto was born on December 31, 1870.

That makes Gotho 145 years old.

His age exceeds Jeanne Calment, a French woman who died at 122 years old and is currently recognized as the oldest person who ever lived.

Even though Gotho has lived for many years however, he told a local news outlet that he is ready to die.

“I just want to die. All of my grandchildren already have their own life,” Gotho said.

#Indonesian #MbahGotho who claims he is the world’s oldest at age 145 says he is ready to die but death doesnt come. pic.twitter.com/vqmINjuZKX

— Noorani Tejani (@NooraniTejani) August 27, 2016

Gotho reportedly outlived his 10 siblings, 4 wives and his children.

Gotho’s grandson Suryanto, with whom he stays, said Gotho prepared for his own funeral since 1992, when he was 122 years old – not expecting he was going to live for another 24 years. (READ: First light bulb, world wars: 11 historic events the oldest man in the world has lived through)

He was also reportedly once involved in an accident at Bengawan Solo river while working as a fisherman there, where he experienced being buried in a landslide. But he survived even that.

Daily life

According to Heru Wahyudi, Head of Archives and Documentation of Sragen, Gotho can still move around without the help of others.

“We also talked, his memory is still good. He is not senile but hearing has been reduced,” Wahyudi told an Indonesian news outlet.

Wahyudi said Gotho also talked about how he used to be a fisherman, and used to dive and catch fish “without the help of tools, and using only his hands.”

News reports also say Gotho’s house in Cameng Village, Sragen, is often visited by many kids from the village, since Gotho is known for his humor and has an affinity for kids.

Suryanto said Gotho likes to tell the kids stories of his past, and still performs daily chores such as gardening and cleaning their house yard. – with reports from Bella Setiawati/Rappler.com