A man who had 39 wives and 94 children died in northeastern India on Sunday, the chief minister of his home state announced on social media.
Ziona Chana, dubbed as the man with the “world’s largest family,” was 76. He was the head of a local Christian sect that allowed polygamy.
“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,” said Zoramthanga, the chief minister of Mizoram.
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! pic.twitter.com/V1cHmRAOkr— Zoramthanga (@ZoramthangaCM) June 13, 2021
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Ziona was 17 when he married his first wife and claimed he married 10 wives within the span of a single year. By the time of his death, Ziona’s family consisted of 167 members, including his 33 grandchildren, leading some local news outlets to say he had the largest family in the world.
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However, another man named Winston Blackmore, who is the head of a polygamous Mormon sect in Canada, has 150 children from 27 wives, amounting to 178 in total.
Ziona told Reuters in a 2011 interview he wanted to grow his family larger despite its already massive size.
“I have so many people to care for and look after, and I consider myself a lucky man,” he added.
