In the northeastern state of Mizoram, stands a sprawling, hundred-room mansion that is home to the world’s largest family. At the heart of this extraordinary household was Ziona Chana, a man who married an astonishing 39 times and fathered at least 94 children. Even more remarkable than the sheer size of his family was the harmony within it – all 39 wives lived together under one roof, not as rivals but as sisters.

Ziona Chana, who passed away in 2021, became a global figure of fascination for his ability to maintain peace and order within such a complex domestic arrangement. While managing one marriage can be challenging enough for most, Ziona seemed to have mastered the art of balancing the needs and emotions of nearly 40 wives. His family’s lifestyle was so unusual that it attracted curious visitors from around the world, eager to witness how such an enormous family functioned without descending into chaos.

Born in 1945, Ziona was the head of the Chana Pawl, a Christian sect that practiced polygamy and believed in expanding their religious community through large families. His first marriage took place when he was just 17, and over the decades, more and more wives joined the household. Despite the potential for conflict, his wives lived together peacefully, working side by side to manage the massive household.

The family resided in a colossal, four-story building named Chhuan Thar Run which translates to “New Generation House". The house, equipped with 100 rooms, was designed to accommodate the vast family comfortably. Each wife had her sleeping quarters, but they shared common spaces for cooking, dining, and raising children. Remarkably, despite sharing a husband, the wives appeared to maintain a close and cooperative relationship, functioning almost like an extended sisterhood.

Estimates of the number of Ziona’s children vary, with some reports putting the figure at 89 and others at 94. Additionally, the family included 36 grandchildren, all of whom lived together under the same roof. Daily life in the Chana household was organised with military precision – meals were prepared in industrial-sized quantities, and the family operated almost like a self-sufficient community.

Ziona’s extraordinary lifestyle attracted international attention, turning his home into a tourist attraction. Visitors marvelled not only at the size of the family but also at the peaceful coexistence of so many co-wives. Unlike typical portrayals of polygamous households filled with jealousy and conflict, Ziona’s wives presented a different image – one of solidarity and mutual support.

Following Ziona’s death in 2021, his family has remained together, continuing to live under the same roof. The legacy of Ziona Chana, as the head of the world’s largest known family, lives on, not just in the size of his household, but in the rare harmony he managed to cultivate among his many wives and children.