World’s oldest man dies at the age of 122

An Indonesian man, who claimed to be the world’s oldest person has died at the age of 146. Mbah Gotho was born in 1870 say his documents.

A lifelong heavy smoker, Sodimedjo — as he was also known — was taken to the hospital last month because of deteriorating health.

He discharged himself six days later and ate only porridge until he died a few days later, his grandson Suyanto told the BBC.

“Since he came back from the hospital, he only ate porridge and drank very little,” relative said. However, doubts have been raised about his claim as Indonesia did not begin to record new births until 1900.

Mr Gotho’s claim to be the world’s oldest human hit the headlines last summer when officials in home town of Sragen, Central Java, verified his age.

Authorities told the BBC that his papers were genuine, based on paperwork he submitted and from interviews with him.

Poor health forced Sodimedjo to hospital on April 12 but six days later he checked out to return home.

“Since he came back from the hospital, he only ate spoonfuls of porridge and drank very little,” his grandson Suryanto told the BBC.

“It only lasted a couple of days. From that moment on to his death, he refused to eat and drink.”

In a BBC interview last year, Sodimedjo, a heavy smoker up until his death, declared he had “a long life because I have people that love me, looking after me”.

He outlived four wives, 10 siblings and all his children.

If confirmed, his age would make Sodimedjo older than French centenarian Jeanne Calment, who was 122 when she died, and is considered the longest living human