–
Published on: 23/08/2020 16:31
Fredie Blom, considered the oldest man in the world, died at 116 in South Africa. The family announced this, stating that it is believed that it was a “natural death” not caused by the Covid epidemic. And Blom, who was born on May 8, 1904, had also experienced the previous global flu pandemic, which killed his entire family when he was a boy. He survived, then married Jeanette, who stayed by his side for 46 years, and had 3 children and five grandchildren.
“Two weeks ago our grandfather was still chopping wood,” said family spokesman Andre Naidoosaid, describing a “strong man full of pride”.
Until the end, family members recall, he kept his passion for smoking, while for some years he had had to give up alcohol, but due to the lockdown imposed by the South African government against Covid, he had not been able to buy tobacco to make himself his cigarette on his 116th birthday last May.
Born in Adelaide, Blom – who worked up to 80 years first in fields and then in construction – died last Saturday at the hospital in Cape Town. The South African media have long pointed to him as the “unofficial” oldest man in the world, because he had never entered the Guinness Book of Records.
In an interview with the BBC two years ago he said that there were no special secrets for his longevity: “there is only one thing, the man above – he said referring to God – it is he who has all the power, I can fall at any moment but he supports me “.
–
REPRODUCTION RESERVED © Copyright Adnkronos.
