Iranian state media reported that an Iranian hermit known as "the world's dirtiest man" died at the age of 94, just a few months after taking his first bath in decades.
He was called "Amu Haji," which means "Uncle Haji." He died on Sunday in Dezhgah, a village in the province of Fars in the south of the country.
The head of the district in the area told the agency that Haji had avoided fresh food for decades and thought that "if he cleans himself, he will get sick."
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Haji was known for his firm refusal to take a bath: A group of villagers tried to bathe him a few years ago by taking him to a nearby river. He threw himself out of the car and ran away.
IRNA said that people in the area treated him and his condition with respect because they knew he didn't drink water because he was afraid of getting sick.
A few months ago, the people of the village were able to wash Haji.
Haji was unmarried. IRNA says that his funeral was held Tuesday night in the nearby city of Farashband.