Although the Indonesian government recently verified Mbah Gotho’s documentation, which states he was born in 1870, external organizations must confirm the findings before he officially becomes the oldest person in the world.
The 145-year-old is aiming to turn 146 on December 31 of this year. While he has seen some amazing transformations in the world during that time, his age also brings hardships. During the nineteenth-century, Gotho lost two of his siblings.
The two subsequent centuries saw him lose the other eight. He has also outlived his four wives, the last one dying in 1988. Then there were his fourteen children, who have all passed away too.
The former farmer now relies on his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great, great-grandchildren to take care of him. With Mbah becoming frailer over the last three months, he now has to be spoon-fed and bathed by hand.