His death was not ruled to be caused by exhaustion – but that would not have been surprising. He did have 39 wives and 94 children, you know.

That’s right. Ziona Chana of India died as the patriarch of the world’s largest family.

His was 76 and reportedly struggled with high blood pressure and diabetes.

Ziona had been sick since June 7 and was not able to eat anything. He remained unconscious since June 11. Some doctors from Aizawl had visited him at his residence in remote Baktawng and they found that he needed some amount of blood. Subsequently, it was transfused.

Since he was unconscious, the doctors suggested that he should be admitted to a hospital and put on the intensive care unit. An ambulance sent from Aizawl brought him to the Trinity Hospital at 2:50 pm on Sunday but he died a few minutes later.

The New Indian Express

You may be wondering how someone could legally be married to 39 people?

Well, Ziona was a member of a christian sect in India called Chana pawl, which allows its male members to be polygamous. Apparently, this was somehow legal in India. The religious sect reportedly has 400 families as members.

No word on how large some of these other families are now.

Zion’s family must have been the largest of them all.

Ziona also had 14 daughters-in-law, 33 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. All members of the family live in a 100-room, four-storey house set amidst the hills. Ziona was featured in “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” top 11 strangest stories for 2011.

Chief Minister Zoramthanga was among the mourners.

“With heavy heart, #Mizoram bid farewell to Mr. Zion-a (76), believed to head the world’s largest family. Mizoram and his village at Baktawng Tlangnuam has become a major tourist attraction in the state because of the family. Rest in Peace Sir!” Zoramthanga tweeted sharing a photo of the family. 

The New Indian Express

Rest in peace, Ziona.