Shirali Muslimov

Introduction

Shirali Muslimov was an Azerbaijani shepherd who reportedly lived to the astonishing age of 168. Born in the remote mountainous village of Barzavu in the Lerik region of Azerbaijan in either 1805 or 1806, Muslimov’s claim to longevity made him an international curiosity and a symbol of endurance and health in the Soviet Union. While his exact age has long been debated, the narrative surrounding his life has become deeply intertwined with Soviet ideals of rural vitality, clean living, and productive aging.

A Life in the Mountains

Muslimov lived his entire life in the Talysh Mountains, a region known for its clean air, natural spring water, and physically demanding terrain. He worked as a shepherd, tending to his flock even in old age. According to Soviet-era reports, Muslimov remained active well past the age of 150, walking several kilometers daily and continuing his work with minimal assistance.

The rural mountain lifestyle was central to his supposed longevity. His daily routine included rising with the sun, consuming simple and organic foods, and engaging in constant physical labor. His diet reportedly consisted of yogurt, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and very little meat. Alcohol and tobacco were absent from his life, making him a model citizen in the Soviet portrayal of a healthy worker.

The Soviet Narrative

During the 1960s and 1970s, as the Soviet Union sought to promote the idea of a strong, long-living population, Muslimov’s story was picked up and widely disseminated. Newspapers, magazines, and even books carried his image and story. He was presented as living proof of the benefits of a socialist way of life — productive, modest, and rooted in community.

The Soviet government leveraged Muslimov’s story to emphasize the success of its healthcare system and to inspire older citizens to remain active and engaged. His life was also cited as evidence that the state’s programs for rural development and clean living were bearing fruit.

International Attention

Muslimov’s story captured global interest. He was featured in National Geographic and Reader’s Digest. Photographs of the smiling, wrinkled man, often surrounded by children and goats, painted a picture of idyllic simplicity and robust health.

Western journalists and researchers, however, remained skeptical. Muslimov’s age claim, like that of other supercentenarians in the region, lacked birth records to verify it. The 1805 date of birth was allegedly found in local Soviet registry documents, but no original birth certificate or baptismal record exists to confirm it. Despite this, the story continued to circulate, partly due to its charm and partly because it served political interests.

Longevity in Lerik

Lerik, the mountainous district where Muslimov lived, is known for its unusually high number of elderly people. Some locals claim to live past 120 or even 130. Whether due to genetics, lifestyle, or simple record-keeping anomalies, the area has a reputation for producing some of the world’s oldest individuals.

This has led some scientists and demographers to study the region. While many believe these ages are exaggerated due to unreliable documentation or cultural tendencies to inflate age, others point to the region’s clean air, physical activity, and diet as contributing factors to a genuinely higher life expectancy.

Personal Life and Legacy

Muslimov claimed to have fathered children well into his 100s and was said to have had multiple wives over the years. At the time of his death in 1973, he was surrounded by a large extended family, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Though his precise age remains unverified, his story continues to live on in Azerbaijani culture. A statue was erected in his honor in Lerik, and the village remains a site of interest for those intrigued by longevity.

The "Museum of Longevity" in Lerik even features Muslimov as one of its central figures, showcasing his clothing, walking stick, and other personal items. To this day, he remains a cultural icon representing rural endurance, traditional values, and the mystique of human longevity.

Scientific Skepticism

While the tale of Shirali Muslimov is romantic and inspirational, scientific scrutiny has cast doubt on the accuracy of his age. Most demographers agree that without verifiable records, such claims should be treated with caution. Some argue that exaggerating age was common in the region for social prestige or due to oral traditions where exact birth years were often lost or misremembered.

Nevertheless, his life provides a valuable case study on the perception of age, how societies define and value longevity, and the ways in which governments use such narratives to promote ideological goals.

Conclusion

Shirali Muslimov may never be officially recognized by modern gerontologists as the world’s oldest person, but his life remains a fascinating story of human endurance, cultural identity, and the power of myth. Whether he truly lived to be 168 or not, his image — that of a rugged shepherd with a long white beard and warm eyes — continues to inspire people around the world to live simply, move often, and stay connected with the land.