Saudi Arabia is mourning the reported passing of its 'oldest man', Nasser bin Radan Al Rashid Al Wadaei, at the astonishing claimed age of 142. The news has sparked both local reverence and international scepticism from scientific experts.
A Life Spanning Eras
According to Saudi media reports, Al Wadaei died on January 8, 2026 in Riyadh. Funeral prayers were subsequently held in Dhahran Al Janoub, attracting a crowd of over 7,000 mourners, before his burial in his home village of Al Rashid.
His purported birth year of 1884 places his life within a remarkable historical context. It was the year construction began on the Statue of Liberty and preceded the unification of Saudi Arabia itself. He is believed to have lived through the reigns of multiple monarchs, from founding King Abdulaziz to the current King Salman.
His family emphasised his deep religious devotion, stating he performed the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage more than 40 times. Al Wadaei is reportedly survived by 134 children and grandchildren. In a particularly notable detail, he is said to have married for the last time at the age of 110 and later fathered a daughter.
Expert Doubt Casts Shadow on Claim
Given that Saudi Arabia's average life expectancy is approximately 78 years, the claim of a 142-year lifespan has been met with profound scepticism by gerontologists. Professor David Weinkove, Chair of the British Society for Research on Ageing (BSRA), told Metro that verifying such an age is extremely difficult due to often incomplete historical records.
Professor Weinkove explained the core statistical improbability: "When you get to around 100, your chance of making it to the next year, to 101, is roughly 50%, so it’s like tossing a coin. It’s not impossible... but it’s like tossing a coin 40 times in a row and always landing on heads."
He acknowledged that long life is possible in Saudi Arabia, but concluded, "142, I think, is a little bit too much to be believable."
The Science of Longevity
While the specific case is doubted, the discussion turns to the general secrets of a long life. Experts agree there is no single miracle, but point to established lifestyle factors. Professor Weinkove cited not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, a good balanced diet, and avoiding overeating as key contributors to health and longevity.
The topic is particularly relevant for Saudi Arabia, which is undergoing significant demographic change. The nation is experiencing rapid population ageing as birth rates decline, making the science of longevity a pressing matter.
For context, the verified list of the world's oldest people is dominated by individuals who reached ages between 114 and 122. The record holder remains France's Jeanne Calment, who lived to 122.
