‘World’s Dirtiest Man’ Dies After His First Wash In 60 Years

Amou Haji, widely known as the “world’s dirtiest man,” passed away in October 2022 at the age of 96, shortly after taking his first bath in six decades. He lived in a rural part of Iran and was recognized by locals for his extremely unclean appearance.

A writer who visited Haji once described him as blending into the desert terrain due to the thick layer of dirt covering his body. They said when he sat still, he looked like a rock.

Haji had reportedly avoided bathing for 60 years out of fear that cleaning himself would make him ill. Just before his death, members of his community convinced him to finally wash.

Following his bath, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported that Haji became unwell and passed away only a few months later. His unusual lifestyle drew international attention, especially after being featured in a 2013 documentary titled The Strange Life of Amou Haji.

Experts now believe Haji may have suffered from ablutophobia—an intense fear of bathing or washing. Healthline classifies this as a specific anxiety disorder.

Dr. Siva Yechoor from The Toledo Clinic stated that while ablutophobia is rare, it’s seen more often in older individuals and often results from trauma. He shared an example of a man who developed the condition after a near-death experience in water.

Until his death, Haji lived in a dugout between a hole in the ground and a brick hut. His story has sparked discussions about mental health, fear, and extreme lifestyles.