A man spent 82 years of his life without ever seeing a woman, learning about their existence solely through the books he read.
Mihailio Totolo lived a life that many would find hard to believe.
Born in Greece in 1856, he spent nearly all his years in a monastery, never seeing a woman.
This remarkable story raises questions about isolation and the human experience.
An unusual beginning of Mihailio’s
Mihailio was orphaned shortly after birth. His mother died when he was just a baby, leaving him without family.
Fortunately, he was adopted by Orthodox Monks who lived on Mount Athos, a place known for its strict rules.
Man lives 82 years without ever setting eyes on woman and only knows their existence from books
One of the most important rules was that women were not allowed on the premises.
This tradition had been followed for hundreds of years.
Growing up in the monastery, Mihailio learned about the world from the monks.
They taught him about many subjects, but he only heard about women through their stories and descriptions in books.
He never had the chance to meet or see a woman, which is quite unusual. Most people interact with the opposite gender at some point in their lives.
Despite the lack of contact with women, Mihailio seemed to accept his situation.
He never questioned the rules of the monastery or expressed a desire to leave.
Although he had the freedom to explore the outside world, he chose to stay within the monastery walls.
The man also missed many things in real life for 82 years
This choice meant he never experienced many things that most people take for granted, such as riding in a car or watching a movie.
In fact, he lived 82 years without ever seeing an airplane or a film.
When Mihailio died in 1938, the monks honored him with a special burial.
They believed he was the only man in the world who had never seen a woman.
His life story became known to many after his death, and it was featured in local newspapers.
The articles indicated not just his lack of contact with women but also the many experiences he missed out on during his life.
Mihailio’s isolated life and understanding of women
While most people grow up with a mix of family, friends, and community, Mihailio’s life is different.
He lived in a very closed environment, surrounded only by monks and the teachings of their faith.
This isolation allowed him to focus on his spiritual life but also meant he lacked exposure to a significant part of human existence.
For Mihailio, the idea of women was abstract, formed from words rather than experiences.
He had to imagine what women looked like, how they acted, and what they sounded like based on the limited information he received.