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For most, the fear of death is overwhelming, making the concept of eternal life and achieving immortality a far more appealing option. This compilation highlights ten individuals who were proclaimed immortal during their lifetimes—and in some cases, even after their deaths. As with all tales of mystery, myth intertwines with historical facts, adding layers of complexity to their stories.
While logic dictates that all living things must eventually perish, humanity clings to the hope of endless life through various means. These ten accounts exemplify this enduring belief in the possibility of defying death.
10. The Three Nephites
The tales of the Three Nephites stand out as one of the most fascinating religious legends in the United States. While sharing similarities with the Jewish stories of the prophet Elijah or the Christian saints in Catholic tradition, these accounts are uniquely Mormon. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, hold that after his resurrection, Jesus Christ visited America and selected 12 apostles from an ancient group called the Nephites to propagate his Gospel in the new world. According to the Book of Mormon, three of these apostles requested to be transformed from humans into angels, allowing them to remain on Earth until the end of time to aid those in need across the globe. These three translated beings, known as the Three Nephites, have become a beloved part of Mormon folklore, with numerous stories recounting their appearances.
9. Memnon
In Greek mythology, Memnon was an Ethiopian king, one of the most prominent African figures in Greek lore, and the son of Tithonus and Eos. Believed to be immortal during his lifetime, he was revered as a warrior second only to Achilles. He led an army to defend Troy during the Trojan War but was slain by Achilles in retaliation for killing Antilochus. Memnon’s death mirrors that of Hector, another Trojan defender killed by Achilles to avenge Patroclus. His demise is detailed in the lost epic Aethiopis, written after The Iliad around the 7th century B.C., and is also recounted in Quintus of Smyrna’s Posthomerica and Philostratus’ Imagines. Though not widely known, Memnon’s story is among the most gripping in Greek mythology.
8. Leonard Jones
Leonard Jones was fully aware that he wasn’t immortal, nor was he a particularly successful politician. However, like many in his field, he possessed a remarkable ability to persuade others. Despite how absurd it may seem today, he centered his political campaign around the claim of his immortality. Surprisingly, he managed to convince a significant number of people, who ultimately voted for him.
The eccentric American, born in Kentucky in 1797, frequently campaigned for the roles of U.S. President and Kentucky Governor, using his self-declared immortality as his primary political platform. Jones asserted that immortality could be attained through prayer and fasting. Unfortunately, it seems he didn’t practice these enough, as he passed away from pneumonia on August 30, 1868, at the age of 71—a relatively young age for someone claiming to be immortal.
7. Merlin
Merlin is often depicted as an aged figure with a flowing white beard and a tall, pointed hat, serving as a magician in the court of King Arthur. But did he truly exist? Legend claims his father was an incubus, a male demon, who conceived him with a mortal woman. Merlin, a renowned immortal, has been featured in countless folktales, fairy stories, and films. This ancient sorcerer has roots in Old English lore and is closely tied to King Arthur, the Lady of the Lake, and the Knights of the Round Table. Some enthusiasts still believe he remains alive today, safeguarding the British royal family. Like many mythical figures, Merlin likely had a real-life counterpart, but like other so-called immortals, he probably met his end eventually.
6. Achilles
Modern historians generally agree that Achilles was a real person, though Homer likely embellished his combat prowess and achievements. Scholars also believe Troy was not a mythical Shangri-la but an actual city, and the Trojan War did occur. Archaeologists studying Homer’s epic suggest the war might have been a prolonged conflict rather than a single event, and most, if not all, characters mentioned by Homer likely existed.
Returning to our focus, myths say Achilles was submerged in the River Styx as an infant by his mother, rendering his skin invulnerable to weapons—making him nearly invincible. However, Paris exploited his one weakness: the heel his mother held him by, poisoning it. Achilles was ultimately struck in the heel by an arrow, leading to the term Achilles’ Heel, which now symbolizes any critical vulnerability, inspired by the legendary warrior’s tale.
5. Nicolas Flamel
For enthusiasts of mystery, magic, and adventure, the tale of Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel is a must-read. In *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*, Nicholas Flamel is portrayed as the creator of the “Philosopher’s Stone,” an artifact granting eternal life. Its protection from the villainous Lord Voldemort becomes a central plot point.
While Harry Potter is a work of fiction, Nicolas Flamel was a real historical figure who lived in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. A scholar and scribe, Flamel dedicated his life to deciphering a cryptic book filled with alchemical symbols, believed to contain the secrets of the Philosopher’s Stone. Numerous legends suggest he succeeded in creating the Stone, and his death in 1417 only fueled these tales. His writings continue to inspire the pursuit of the Philosopher’s Stone, though modern scholars question the authenticity of texts attributed to him. Despite this, Flamel remains a pivotal figure in alchemical lore.
4. Wandering Jew
As Christ carried His cross to Golgotha, He paused to rest outside the home of a shoemaker named Ahasuerus. When Ahasuerus mocked Him, asking why He was delaying, Christ responded with a curse: “I will rest here, but you shall wander the Earth until I return.” This gave rise to the legend of the Wandering Jew, a figure that gained immense popularity in medieval Christian Europe during the 13th century. Rooted in part in Jesus’ words from Matthew 16:28, the tale has countless versions. Ahasuerus is sometimes depicted as an old man, other times as eternally youthful, or cycling between age and youth. According to the myth, he is doomed to remember all his past lives, though it’s more plausible that the real Ahasuerus lived only once and has long since passed.
3. Qin Shi Huang
Qin Shi Huang, the founder of the Qin dynasty, is celebrated as the figure who unified China. His monumental achievements, such as the Great Wall and the Terra Cotta Army, are globally recognized. As one of China’s most influential emperors, he left an indelible mark on the nation’s history and culture. Those around him, awed by his accomplishments, began to believe in his immortality, a notion he actively pursued.
Legend has it that in his quest for eternal life, Qin Shihuang dispatched his servant, Xu Fudong, to uncover the secret of immortality. Xu Fudong embarked on an eastward journey with thousands of young boys and girls, but they never returned to China, possibly fearing punishment for their failure. Some believe they discovered and settled the island now known as Japan. Qin Shihuang died at 50 in 210 B.C. from a sudden and fatal illness, proving to his loyal followers that he was as mortal as anyone else.
2. Heracles
The tale of Heracles is renowned worldwide. No other figure has garnered such universal acclaim for centuries. Known for his immense strength, bravery, and extraordinary feats, Heracles endured countless trials, which, according to legend, ultimately granted him immortality—at least in a metaphorical sense.
Was there a real Heracles, a man behind these myths? It’s impossible to say for certain. However, much like the discovery of Troy, archaeologists sparked global curiosity and imagination in 2010 when they claimed to have found evidence of his tomb in Peloponnese. While the real Heracles likely never achieved literal immortality, he became the most celebrated hero of antiquity, beloved by many. More stories have been told about him than any other hero, ensuring his name remains immortal through time.
1. Count of St. Germain
The young Count of St. Germain was an enigmatic and captivating figure, his appearance seemingly untouched by time. He traveled incessantly, carrying with him the profound mystery of his identity, which fascinated and puzzled all who encountered him. Tales, myths, and theories about St. Germain emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and persist to this day. Some believe he was immortal, the Wandering Jew, an alchemist possessing the “Elixir of Life,” and even a prophet of the French Revolution. Described as a courtier, adventurer, charlatan, inventor, alchemist, musician, and composer, the Count of St. Germain remains one of history’s greatest enigmas.
After a life filled with encounters with global leaders and dignitaries, the mysterious Count arrived in Eckenförde, Germany, in 1779. Official records suggest he died there in 1784, yet no tombstone bearing his name exists in the town. Nearly two centuries later, Richard Chanfray, a French magician and singer, claimed to be the reincarnated Count of St. Germain, but he, too, met his end.
