Indian man with world’s largest family of 39 wives, 94 children dies
A man thought to have been the head of the world’s largest family has died in the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram, leaving behind at least 38 widows and 89 children.
Ziona Chana, aged 76, was the head of a religious sect that practiced polygamy.
The news of his death was confirmed by Mizoram’s chief minister, Zoramthanga, who offered his condolences on his Twitter handle.
“With heavy heart, Mizoram bid farewell to Mr. Zion-a (76), believed to head the world’s largest family, with 38 wives and 89 children. Mizoram and his village at Baktawng Tlangnuam has become a major tourist attraction in the state because of the family. Rest in Peace Sir,” the chief minister tweeted.
Ziona married his first wife at the age of 17 and then got married again and again — including 10 times in a single year — until giving up collecting wives at the age of 60. His family, numbering up to 181 members, lived in a huge four-story mansion that became a local tourist attraction, according to a local news report
It’s hard to say if Chana was indeed the head of the world’s largest family since there are others who claim the title.
Chana was reportedly suffered from diabetes and hypertension, the BBC reported citing the Press Trust of India, an Indian news agency.
According to doctors, Chana’s condition deteriorated at home in his village, Baktawng Tlangnuam. He was admitted to the hospital on Sunday evening, where he was declared dead on arrival.
