Russian President Vladimir Putin has been caught on a hot mic discussing immortality with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, revealing a longstanding fascination with extending life. The conversation, which took place during a military parade in Beijing, saw Putin tell Xi that advances in technology could allow humans to become 'younger, perhaps even immortal' through organ transplants. Xi responded that people may live to 150 by the end of the century, while North Korean leader Kim Jong-un listened nearby.
Putin's interest in longevity is nothing new. He has long been obsessed with health, relying on a team of doctors and alternative medicine. According to journalist Mikhail Rubin, who co-authored a biography of Putin, the Russian leader travels with a large entourage of medical specialists, indicating a preoccupation with extending his life. Rubin believes Putin dreams of ruling for many more years and places great hopes on modern medicine.
The pursuit of immortality has a long history among rulers. China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, sought elixirs of eternal life, while Alexander the Great searched for the water of life. More recently, Italy's Silvio Berlusconi used hair transplants and blood treatments, and Kazakhstan's Nursultan Nazarbayev funded research into rejuvenation. Both eventually died or were ousted, but Putin appears to be taking the quest further with lavish funding for longevity science.
Putin's drive for longevity mirrors that of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, who ruled until his death at 74. Under constitutional changes pushed through in 2020, Putin could remain in power until 2036, surpassing Stalin's tenure. None of the three leaders—Putin, Xi, or Kim—has offered a clear succession plan, suggesting they intend to rule as long as their bodies hold out.
