Despite becoming internationally known as Amou Haji, the name wasn’t actually his real one.
‘Amou’ is an affectionate Persian nickname often given to elderly men and roughly translates to ‘uncle’ or ‘old-timer,’ per USA Today.
According to local reports, Haji chose a life of isolation after suffering what he described as emotional setbacks and heartbreak during his younger years.
Over time, he withdrew from society almost entirely.
He settled in the rural village of Dezh Gah, where residents would occasionally look after him while respecting his unusual lifestyle choices.
One of the most striking aspects of his life was his refusal to bathe.
For more than six decades, Haji reportedly avoided washing because he believed that soap and water would make him ill.
His fear became so strong that he actively resisted attempts by others to help him clean himself.
On one occasion, local villagers reportedly tried to force him into a shower, but he escaped before they could wash him.
