30.04.2025 15:12
Mehmet Reşit Ak, who resides in Batman and is known as a living witness of history, is 136 years old. Having been married three times and fathering 28 children with over 250 grandchildren, Ak stated that he has lived a long life due to the curse of a girl he loved. "Sometimes I really want to die," said Grandpa Mehmet, "but sometimes the thought that life is sweet comes to my mind, and I want to live."
Mehmet Reşit Ak, who lives in the village of Geçitaltı in the Kozluk district of Batman, is 136 years old, has been married three times, and has 28 children and over 250 grandchildren. Ak, who fought under Atatürk's command, is regarded as a living witness of history. He notes that he has lived a long life due to the curse of the girl he loved and pays attention to eating organic foods.
Mehmet Reşit Ak, a 136-year-old grandfather living in the village of Geçitaltı in the Kozluk district of Batman, recalls recent historical events with his clear memory, captivating people with his memories and experiences. Hacı Mehmet Reşit Ak stated that the secret to his long life is primarily due to eating yogurt at every meal, working hard, and consuming clean air, clean water, organic, and plant-based products.
"I AM 136 YEARS OLD, I SAW ATATÜRK" Mehmet Reşit Ak, who stated that he always saw Atatürk and fought alongside him against the Greeks, said, "I am 136 years old. I always saw Atatürk. Once he called us, and we fought against the Greeks who took refuge in the caves with him. He took us to the cave battle. When we got there, the Greeks had taken it. We fought with them and made them flee. We threw them all into the seas. After freeing the cave area from them, we returned again."
HE MARRIED THREE TIMES Mehmet Reşit Ak, who stated that he has a large family and has been married three times, has preserved a photo of his father, who passed away 80 years ago, and a photo of himself taken in his youth, which he hung on the wall of his house. He mentioned that they had to move to Afyon for 10 years before the declaration of the Republic, saying, "After the events in the region, we were asked to migrate to Afyon. Later, with the declaration of the Republic, we were allowed to return to the region by Atatürk's decision. We came back to these lands where we were born and raised and settled again."
"I REGRET NOTHING IN MY LIFE" Mehmet Reşit Ak, who stated that he has never experienced any bad events in his life, expressed that he feels no regret for anything. He said, "I have never done anything bad to regret. Sometimes I really want to die. I think it would be better if I died immediately. Sometimes the sweetness of life comes to my mind, and I want to live."
"I LIVED LONG BECAUSE OF RAĞDA'S CURSE" Mehmet Reşit Ak, who became emotional when reminded of his greatest love, a woman named Rağda, with whom he had a great love but could not be together, said, "Don't remind me of Rağda. Just leave her. I am still alive because of her curse. I loved her very much. Her father was the lord of this land, a prominent figure. Rağda was his only daughter. Sometimes I would go, see her, and return. She would always prepare food for me. Her father would say to my uncles, 'Ask for my daughter’s hand in marriage. I will give you 50 acres of land, 2 oxen, and a milk buffalo.' Even though he said he would give it at home, they said no. They said we will stay in our village. They did not let me take the girl. She married someone else. Later, when I ran into my uncle's daughter in the market, she asked who I was. When my uncle's daughter said, 'I am the daughter of Mehmet Reşit’s uncle,' she cursed me. The girl cursed me, saying, 'May God not let him die when he wants to die, and may he not let him live if he wants to live.' That is why I am still alive. She loved me, and because I could not have her, she cursed me, and her curse worked."
Mehmet Reşit Ak's only living wife, 78-year-old Dilşen Ak, stated, "Mehmet Reşit is a very harmonious person. He never treated us badly. He generally eats yogurt. He hardly consumes half a loaf of bread a week."
HIS 70-YEAR-OLD SON HAS OVER 40 GRANDCHILDREN Hamdi Ak, Mehmet Reşit Ak's 70-year-old son, stated that his father has been married three times, saying, "I am the son of Mehmet Reşit. My father is 136 years old. My father has been married three times. He has 28 children and 250 grandchildren. I am the third son. I am 70 years old. I also have over 40 grandchildren."
Despite his strong memory and long life, Mehmet Reşit Ak stands out with his dynamism and is a respected figure in the region, gaining the trust of everyone.