Man Who Spent 30 Years Living Alone On An Island Moves To City Aged 82

A man who spent more than three decades living alone on an island has headed back to the city to start a new life aged 80.

Mauro Morandi spent almost 33 years living on the Sardinian island of Budelli with just some cats and wild birds for company.

However, his solitary existence came to an end recently when authorities announced they were turning the island into an environmental observatory and told him he'd need to go.

Mauro Morandi/Facebook

Morandi moved to the nearby island of La Maddalena in May, using his pension from when he worked as a teacher to buy himself a new home and is now getting used to not being alone.

Speaking to CNN, he said: "For a long time I have lived alone, and for too many years after I first landed on Budelli I didn't feel like talking to anyone.

"True, I cannot enjoy the island's solitude anymore, but my life now has taken a new turn, focused on communicating with others and being near other people."

Morandi ended up living on the island in 1989 after attempting to sail from Italy to Polynesia.

Instead, he fell in love with the quiet island and decided to set up home there.

Although at first he was reluctant to move back to civilisation - he has since embraced it and is thriving.

He said: "I'm the living proof that a second, new life is possible.

"You can always start all over again, even if you're over 80, because there are other things you can experience, a totally different world."

Mauro Morandi/Facebook

He went on: "I'm happy and I have rediscovered the pleasure of living the good life and enjoying everyday comforts."

His new digs are a lot swisher than his old home, boasting a fully fitted kitchen, king-sized bed and a shower.

He also reconnected with an old flame from his youth, who has since moved into his home with him.

And the 82-year-old appears to be showing no sign of slowing down in his retirement.

He's written a book about his experiences and plans to write another.

When he's not writing or settling himself into living in a community again, he uses social media to share photos and stories about his life.

Topics: World News, Interesting

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19