'World's Dirtiest Man', Amou Haji Dies At 94
According to reports, Amou Haji, a 94-year-old Iranian hermit who had been dubbed the world's dirtiest man after not showering for nearly 60 years, died on October 23, 2022, in the village of Dejgah, Iran's southern province.
Leah Mukangai 
Haji, who was known for his grimy skin and matted hair, refused to take a bath for years because he believed soap and water would make him sick. He also reported that during his youth period, he suffered an 'emotional setback' preventing him from taking a shower. He spent the majority of his life alone in an open brick hut built by villagers after he began sleeping in a hole in the ground.
Amou Haji in his house. PHOTO FILE
According to the Tehran Times, Haji also avoided fresh food in favor of rotted porcupines and smoked a pipe made of animal excrement. According to village officials, they had taken him to a bathroom to wash but it is unclear if the effort was successful.
Haji isn't survived by any known family members, but he was beloved in the village. His fame spread further after he went viral for smoking a handful of cigarettes at a time. He would also use a metal plumbing object to smoke animal waste. Haji's life was even chronicled in a 2013 documentary called "The Strange Life of Amou Haji."
Amou Haji. PHOTO FILE
Photos of Haji showed him covered in soot with a long gray beard. In one photo, he can be seen sitting on the ground barefoot surrounded by rocks and woods. His nails appeared to be black as he held a rusted cup in his hands and gazed off-camera.
Following Haji's death, the title of "world's dirtiest man" is now up for grabs. According to reports, Kailash "Kalau" Singh, an Indian who had not showered in more than 30 years as of 2009, could be a frontrunner for the strange award.
Indian man, Kailash "Kalau" Singh has not bathed for more than 30 years. PHOTO FILE
