Ziona Chana, believed to head one of the world’s largest families on record, has passed away on Sunday afternoon. He was 76.
Mr. Chona, who hails from Mizoram in India, had 38 wives, 89 children, 33 grandchildren, which sums up his family to 181.
It was confirmed by the chief minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga, through a Twitter post sending condolences to Chana’s family.
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Chana suffered from diabetes and hypertension, local reports said.
His health condition deteriorated at home in his village, Baktawng Tlangnuam. He was sent to a private hospital on Sunday where he was declared dead on arrival.
Chana was various local news reports and featured twice in the popular TV show Ripley’s Believe it or Not.
It is yet to be known if he is the record holder of most number of family members.
According to Zoramthanga, Chana’s enormous family has attracted many tourists making his hometown a major tourist attraction.
The family is residing in four-storey mansion known as “Chuuar Than Run” or New generation House, with 100 rooms.
According to local reports, his wives are sharing a dormitory near his private bedroom.
The family belongs to a Christian sect that allows polygamous relationship for men.
The Chana Pawl sect was founded by Chana’s grandfather in 1942. (RA)
