Amou Haji: The man who never took a shower “World’s Dirtiest Man,”

Amou Haji

Biography

Amou Haji, affectionately known as the “World’s Dirtiest Man,” was an Iranian hermit who gained international attention for his claim of not bathing for over 60 years. Born on August 20, 1928, in the village of Dejgah in Iran's Fars province, Haji lived a life marked by extreme isolation and unconventional habits.

🧔 Life of Isolation

The name “Amou Haji” is a term of endearment in Persian, translating roughly to “Uncle Haji.” His real name remains unknown. Haji chose a reclusive lifestyle following emotional setbacks in his youth, which led him to believe that cleanliness would bring illness. This belief prompted him to avoid bathing for more than six decades. He resided in a self-dug hole or a cinder-block hut built by villagers, often covering himself in soot and dirt.

🥩 Unconventional Habits

Haji's lifestyle extended beyond his aversion to bathing. He consumed roadkill, particularly porcupines, and drank water from puddles and rusty cans. He smoked a pipe filled with animal excrement and was known to smoke multiple cigarettes simultaneously. To manage his hair, he would burn it off with fire. Despite his unorthodox habits, villagers accepted him, and he became a local fixture. 

🧼 Final Bath and Passing

In 2022, villagers persuaded Haji to bathe for the first time in over 60 years. Tragically, he fell ill shortly after and passed away on October 23, 2022, at the age of 94. His death sparked discussions about the psychological aspects of his lifestyle and the potential impact of sudden changes in long-standing habits.