Saudi Arabia is mourning the death of its oldest man, Nasser bin Radan Al Rashid Al Wadaei, who passed away at the extraordinary age of 142.
Born in the late 1800s, long before the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia existed, Al Wadaei’s life spanned more than a century of history and change.
The Saudi Arabia oldest man was not only remarkable for his age but also for the legacy he left behind. He had three wives and fathered a large family, including around 134 children and grandchildren.
Two of his three sons and several daughters survive him, reflecting the generations he influenced over decades.
His third wife, who lived with him for 30 years, reached the age of 110, and their daughter is still alive.
Al Wadaei witnessed the reign of every Saudi king, from King Abdulaziz, who established the modern nation, to King Salman today.
Deserts became cities, dirt paths turned into highways, and electricity, hospitals, oil wealth, and modern technology arrived within his lifetime.
To his community, he was known not just as the Saudi Arabia oldest man, but also as a man of faith, discipline, and simple living. His family says he performed Hajj over 40 times, a feat few can imagine.
His passing drew thousands to Dhahran Al Janoub for his funeral prayers. More than 7,000 people attended, a testament to the respect he commanded.
He was laid to rest in his ancestral village of Al Rashid, the same land where his family had lived for generations.
Across social media, Saudis celebrated the life of the Saudi Arabia oldest man, remembering him as a symbol of faith, endurance, and the country’s historical journey.
His story reminds the nation of how far it has come and the lives that have quietly shaped its history.