The Luckiest Man in the World: Meet the Story of Frane Selak

In January 1962, Frane Selak faced the first challenge that would catapult him into the peculiar fame that would follow him for decades. During a train journey from Sarajevo to Dubrovnik, the tracks derailed, sending 17 passengers into a frozen river. In the midst of this horrifying scene, Selak emerged with only a broken arm, thus inaugurating a series of extraordinary events.

The following year, in 1963, Selak boarded a flight between Zagreb and Rijeka to visit his sick mother. Fate seemed to conspire against him when the plane's door opened before landing, resulting in the death of 20 people, including the flight attendant. However, Selak claims to have survived by landing in a haystack, defying the odds and solidifying his reputation as a man immune to air tragedies.

The year 1966 witnessed another surprising episode in Selak's life. While traveling on a bus, the vehicle collided and sank into a river. Four passengers met a tragic fate, but Selak escaped with cuts and bruises, reaching the shore and adding another chapter to his incredible survival saga.

The 1970s brought two logic-defying car accidents in 1970 and 1973. In both incidents, Selak escaped imminent death. In the first, his car caught fire only after he exited, while in the second, the engine burst into flames, but the Croatian suffered only minor burns. These surreal events added more layers to Selak's extraordinary narrative.

After a 22-year incident-free interval, Selak faced his sixth trial in 1995. He claims to have been hit by a bus while walking the streets of Zagreb. However, once again, he emerged practically unscathed, solidifying his reputation as the man who defied death.

The year 1996 brought the last remarkable tragedy in Frane Selak's life. While driving in a mountainous region of Croatia, his car was pushed by an out-of-control truck, sending it down a cliff. Clinging to a tree, Selak watched his vehicle explode 90 meters below. Once again, he escaped unharmed, concluding his incredible series of tragedies.

The man became known as the luckiest of all time, although this title is controversial: is it luck to escape death, or is it luck to experience so many accidents? It was this doubt that Selak wanted to resolve in 2003 when he decided to play the lottery. The result: he won $1 million. With the prize, he bought luxury homes and got married five times.

A Generous Gesture after Fortune

After a life full of extraordinary events, Frane Selak gained prominence again in 2010, seven years after winning a considerable fortune in the lottery. Surprisingly, he decided to donate everything, proclaiming that "money does not bring happiness."

He sold the luxurious house on a deserted island he had acquired, distributing the amount among friends and family. The Croatian musician stated that all he needs to be happy is the presence of Katarina, his fifth wife. In a touch of humor, he added, "Besides, I believe all the recent marriages also count as disasters!" The only amount he retained was dedicated to hip surgery and the construction of a sanctuary for the Virgin Mary.

After surviving seven accidents and experiencing the joy of lottery luck, Selak received an invitation to go to Australia to shoot a commercial for the famous tortilla chip brand, Doritos. However, upon learning that he would have to travel by plane, he refused without hesitation. When asked about his decision, he replied, "I don't want to test my luck again." An understandable attitude, considering the extraordinary events that marked his life—after all, it almost seemed like only a lightning strike was missing.

The incredible story of this survivor, while fascinating, is not the type of experience most people aspire to undergo. At 92, an age that could be considered improbable, it is understandable that he avoids challenging his luck again. Do you agree? Frane Selak's journey, filled with twists and uncommon generosity, continues to intrigue and inspire reflections on the unpredictability of life and the true definition of happiness.

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