This woman in Ethiopia has not eaten in 16 years. Not a single piece of food or a sip of water. Doctors in Dubai examine her body and confirm there are no traces of food in her stomach.
But somehow, this 26-year-old remains healthy. Is it true you haven't eaten in 15 years? How little?
Yes, it's true. I'm going to track her down in the countryside of Ethiopia to find out if she is a superwoman or a straight-up liar. To find the woman who doesn't eat, whose name is Mulawerk, we hop on a domestic flight from the modern city of Addis Ababa to the rural town of Jimma.
That feeling when you arrive in the middle of nowhere, Ethiopia. Where coffee originates. One little cup and you're done.
It's that strong. And we are about to drive four hours on the bumpy back roads near the border with South Sudan in hopes of finding a clue to where she lives. This is why we have four-wheel drive.
Otherwise, we would never get through these puddles. Joining me is my production manager, AJ. When Dr Seuss said, oh, the places you'll go, I never thought Jimma would be on that list for me.
And we are guided by our local friend, Fitsum, who has never been to this part of Ethiopia. We are going south. We have the idea of where she is, but we'll ask people and find out where she is.
We have serious reason to believe we are the first international media to seek out Mulawerk and tell her story. As I understand, like, nobody knows about her. Fitsum, you don't know about her before?
I've never, I never have any idea of her. There's less information online about this woman than the no-sleep men in Vietnam. So we are really on a quest.
This is like proper rural countryside dirt road experience here. Look at the wooden stick houses. A lot of ass.
Whole lot of ass. Someone had to say it. Fitsum, did you know that donkey is ass?
Yes. Is that why you're giggling up there? Yeah, yeah.
Dude, a lot of ass. We pulled over on the side of the road here to this epic brown stream, which is probably rainwater because it's been pouring rain outside. Do you know her?
No. No? We're looking for her.
Do you know her? No. All right, we'll keep looking.
We're driving through the clouds right now. It's super mystical, really cool. We have some waterfalls right here.
Have you ever seen this lady? Thank you for the banana. Really sweet and flavorful.
Just chilling here, literally in the middle of nowhere. We got a dude with a machete. We got a big ass bus that's passing us.
I'm holding a drone and AJ's eating a banana. Hello, my friend. Do you know this lady right here?
You don't know her. I've never seen her. You know, the fact that nobody knows where she is leads me to believe that she's not telling the truth.
Because no sleep, man. Everybody knew who he was. Yeah, so far we've asked four or five people on the side of the road, who is she, and they don't know.
But we know we're heading in the right direction. I'm a little skeptical as well. Like, it's impossible not to eat.
But she's met with the prime minister. She's had medical tests done in Addis Ababa and in Dubai, I think. There's so much mystery around Mulwerk that we're determined to meet her and investigate her claims.
But so far, we are striking out on our search, and she could be anywhere in these rolling mountains. While stopping for a quick bite of Ethiopian food. .
. So good, man. .
. . we come across our first clue.
Do you know her? He's pointing a house. It's over there.
Apparently, we're in the right place, and these people know exactly where Mulwerk lives. We have found her house. Stepping into Mulwerk's living room is like entering another world.
I love it. She's asking you to sit down. OK, no problem.
There are posters on the walls and a variety of antiques that make it feel like we're stuck in a time capsule of her childhood. And what is it? Did this one say here, with a picture of her?
It says, unique creature of the Kontar region. Never had water or meal for the last nine years. She embraces the word creature.
Is that the direct translation? Yes. Yeah, exactly.
Almost says they're using her to bring tourists here. But no one has come. And nobody told us she has a daughter.
How could she have given birth if she doesn't eat? What do you think she's thinking right now? Who is this guy?
It's remarkable how big and protected her house is compared to all of her neighbors. Apparently, this compound was a gift to Mulwerk from the prime minister. To me, that sounds a little strange.
Mulwerk, what does it mean? That is a cross, like a cross on her neck. And yagnos?
She wants to imitate like a rocket, like a tennis racket. That was not what I thought it was. This is the bathroom in her backyard, which she doesn't use, but her daughter and her sister uses.
Very, very interesting. Mulwerk is giving us a tour of her backyard here. Beautiful garden.
Wow. Is this like your favorite hobby is gardening? Yeah, she said she never liked sitting down, doing nothing.
She always work on the garden. She loves doing that. You're growing all this food.
Who are you? Is it for your daughter or are you cooking for people? I'll let it grow as much as possible and then harvest it.
My sister is here. She can cook and eat. And whenever somebody, a visitor come and ask for that, I'll give it to them.
Medicinal for the kids. You can smell this. Smells like strawberries.
This is like a tea. Your house is really cool. Kitchen.
You don't get hungry when you're cooking? I cook as much as I want, but I have no appetite, she said. Even with the smells?
No appetite, she said. According to Fitsum, Mulwerk is already planning to cook dinner for her family tonight. So for now, she offers us tea and I'm excited to sit down and get to the root of her 16 year fast.
Mulwerk, usually when I visit people's houses, I like to bring a gift, but I wasn't sure what I should bring you. So is it okay if we, you know, maybe get some food from the market for your family? Would that be okay?
You don't have to worry about that. It's okay. My question is, is it disrespectful if I bring you food, but you don't need it?
My sister eats and my daughter eats. It's not disrespectful. Do you ever drink tea?
No, I don't drink tea. I make tea and I make coffee too, but I don't drink. Something still doesn't make sense and I want to find the truth.
So I invite Mulwerk on a walk outside to ask some hard-hitting questions. I came here because I heard that you haven't eaten in 13 years or 15 years. Is it true?
Yes, it's true. I haven't eaten for the last 16 years. Was there a moment in time where you just ate and then you said, I'm tired of eating, I'm done?
Or is it a medical condition? It was one morning that I used to live with my family and they asked me, eat breakfast and go to school. She said, I had eaten, but she was pretending she had eaten.
She never ate. She lost appetite for water or for any food. Have you seen a professional doctor about your condition?
And if you have, what have they told you? Yes, I have seen a doctor abroad and they have tested me for a week and they even questioned my mental status. They think that I was crazy, but I'm intact.
She said I was pregnant to her and they have to give a lot of glucose for the baby. Did you breastfeed your child? There was no breast as much.
No breast milk. She did not breastfeed. You seem to have a lot of energy.
Where is the energy coming from if you're not eating anything? I don't even know. It's nature.
Don't question. Is it an act of God or is it just random? This is what I believe.
It's the work of God. What else could it be? Mula Work, what was the last thing you ate?
Can you remember what the meal was? The last meal I had is injera with lentil. Do you think there will ever come a day where you get hungry again and you start eating?
I don't think so. When people watch this video, they're going to think that you're fake, that it's a lie, that it's all for show. What do you want to say to those people?
I have nothing to say to them. They can come and observe my daily life and I don't eat and I don't drink. When you say you don't drink, no water, no nothing?
She said, I'm Orthodox Christian, I go to church, there is a holy water that you're supposed to drink. I don't even drink that. If you don't eat and you don't drink, do you ever use the bathroom?
The only reason I go to toilet is because I have to wash my body and I never use bathroom for 16 years. Really? I find that so hard to believe, but I guess if you don't eat or drink, then you don't have to use the bathroom.
It is so nice outside right now. Sun is going down. Everyone's friendly.
What a life out here. This is like a peaceful village. Very lively, love it.
Hi. Hi, come here. What do you know about her?
She's an Ethiopian amazing girl. Is it true that she really doesn't eat food? Yeah, she can't eat food.
Really? Yeah, really. Really?
So you never see her eating before? No, I can't see. And you never see her eating here?
No, I can't see. Why do you think she doesn't eat food? It's amazing, I don't know.
I have heard and known that medical personnel came here and proved that she has not been eating for 13 or more years and everybody knows about her. People come and visit her and we know about her. Can you tell me about her as a person?
What is she like to be around? She's hardworking. She works around her garden and she's a good person.
What countries did you go to to see a doctor? Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia. Yeah, she's been to four countries.
Most importantly, what was the diagnosis of the doctor? What did the doctor tell you? The doctor thinks she's 100% healthy despite not eating anything.
You can see the crowd of people behind me that were just standing outside of her house interviewing her and it seems like the entire village has gathered around. I can sense that Moulawarik is starting to feel overwhelmed so we go inside to give her some space. As we inch closer to dinner, her family starts to trickle in, including the man who first discovered her condition.
His name is Mr Belacho. He's the one, the first who discovered that she doesn't eat and drink. How did he first find her?
He used to live in Addis and every driver used to tell him that there's someone who never eats and drinks. And he was so curious, he came all the way here and talked to her and brought her back to Addis. Five years ago, she was tested in one of the biggest hospitals in Addis Ababa, which is called Saudita Hospital.
They have testified there is no remnants of food in her intestine. He has observed her on a daily basis for three years. He never saw her eating or drinking.
So like nobody else in the world can do that. So why is she special? How did it even happen for her?
I have no idea why it's happened. Her brother told him that ever since she was a child, every time she was given food, she throws away. So she never had an interest for food.
All he knows is since her age of 10, she had no interest for her food. So why is she not like extremely skinny? She was even bigger at that time, so she's now skinnier.
The amount of work she does for someone who doesn't eat is amazing. So Moulouwerk wants to show us her church. So we're heading in the car, going to church.
After talking to this guy who has watched her for three years and observed her for three years, I'm more convinced than ever before. Going to church seems appropriate because if you believe her witnesses, then Moulouwerk is a miracle. I keep wondering what role her faith has in all of this.
Do you come here every week or every day? I come every week, every Sunday here. What does it mean to you to pray at this church?
I'm very happy to come here and pray. Do you come here to pray that you can eat again? I don't think about it.
I don't pray about it. Do you pray to thank God for giving you this special, unique trait? Yes, yes, I'm very thankful for this.
Why do you think God did this to you but nobody else? I have nothing to say. It's God's will and I just accept it.
Moulouwerk, what makes you happy in this world? I'm having a relationship with God and to have my daughter, to raise her is good. That's what makes me happy.
What if your daughter stops eating? Will you be worried? I would observe her for a while and if she turns out like me, then that's okay.
How does not eating impact your faith? How does it help you feel closer to God? Some people fast to have a better relationship with God but I don't eat and drink and that strengthens my relationship.
How would you feel if you got a lot more attention and many more people wanted to come and meet you and share your story? I'm very happy that I'll get more attention ahead. So far, I have not taken my eyes off Moulouwerk and she still hasn't eaten.
Not even a sip of water under the hot sun. We are now heading back to her house for the promised meal and her sister is there waiting for us. So is it 100% true that your sister doesn't eat?
You never once saw her sneak a little bite of something? No. Are you worried about her health?
I was very afraid at the beginning. I was worried at the beginning but now I see she's doing well and I don't mind. Moulouwerk, thank you for the tea.
That is some really good tea. Wow. He said, how does she know the tea is good if she can't taste it?
She just has a magical touch. Do you think your sister is blessed by God? Why would God want her to stop eating?
Say she dreams and then she tells her dreams to her. Whatever she tells her, it always comes true. What kind of dreams?
I don't want her to have nightmares. Force coming. What do you think?
Tell me your honest thoughts about what you're experiencing. It's unreal. It takes time to process and to understand.
Why would they lie? No reason to lie. Why would they?
I mean like no one's coming here and paying her for this. No. It's not like a business.
No. I've come across other people in my travels who would scam you and make up a story and lie to make money but she's not. So the question is, why would she lie?
In this remote area, she has no attention. She has no reason to lie. Who is she going to impress?
Without the need to eat, she must be saving money because she doesn't have to go buy food all the time. Only for the little one. So the electricity is out.
So we're using phone lights right now and I asked for her passport and she's bringing it out right now. Passport is proof. Cool looking passport.
Let's open it up and see. Yeah, she has stamps in here. I feel like I'm an investigator right now.
This is. . .
Yeah, that's Dubai. February 7, 2021. So 10 days.
Were you seeing doctors every day? Seven days? Seven days in hospital.
Who sponsored the trip? The Prime Minister of Japan. How did you meet him and what was the meeting like with the Prime Minister?
He came to visit the national park which is like an hour drive from here and he discovered about her and he come and meet her. That's a pretty big deal to meet the head of state of your country. What did he say about your condition?
I said he's happy to meet her. Just like me. If she is so special that the Prime Minister is going to send her to Dubai and elsewhere, why is she not more famous if she's received all this attention?
She thinks where she lives matters. I live here in an isolated area and then I have not much exposure. Do you think it's a good thing to get your story out there or do you prefer to keep it private?
Yes, it is good for me. Do you want to be famous? Yes.
Yes, that was a strong yes too. I'm skeptical that Mulawork says she wants to be famous. Is all of this just a trap so she can get rich?
I still can't ignore the evidence and valid testimonies that support her claim of not eating. There's also a feeling I get that's too hard to describe. Just the humble way that Mulawork carries herself, which convinces me she is 100% telling the truth.
I still don't really know what to believe, but what I do know is that the house is smelling delicious and we're all excited to try Mulawork's home-cooked meal. We're now just chilling in the living room. She's very hospitable.
She's bringing a bed in here with a mattress so we can lay down, but I'm pretty comfortable on the couch. I'm going to make you some pita bread. Thank you.
I'm going to make you some pita bread. Our driver has gone to the store and got all the ingredients here for Mulawork to cook. Thank you.
We're getting sleepy over here in the living room. It's just so cozy. Mulawork and her sister are preparing dinner right now.
They have all these ingredients. I don't even know what they're making, but it's starting to smell really good. She stepped out to put on the headband.
Serious business now. It's very surprising to me that she's so passionate about cooking because she doesn't eat. Is Mulawork a good cook?
She's the best cook. She's a good cook, but she can't even try the food to know if it's good. She just has the skill to cook the best.
She doesn't even test the salt and the spices, but she just makes it perfect. When you think about chefs in the kitchen, they're always testing it. You just see them with a little spoon.
She's using a black stone to mash up the garlic. If you forced yourself to eat something, what do you think would happen to yourself? I don't think it'll hurt me or do anything, but I have no desire of eating.
That smells really, really good. Like, wow. All right, after about an hour, dinner is ready.
She's been cooking up a storm over here. I watched her. Instead of tasting it, she looks at it really closely on the stick for the texture.
She just took out this massive piece of injera. You know, Ethiopian food is my favorite cuisine in Africa, and I've yet to have a homemade meal. What are your thoughts about this meal?
What about this meal? Yeah, it already looks delicious. That is crazy.
She just made that. Welcome to Ethiopia. It's amazing.
It tastes like it smells. Let's hear what she thinks of the food. It is like the best food I've ever tasted.
Whoa. That's really, really tasty. It's like spicy and sour.
Chewy. I don't know. Very garlicky, oniony.
Is it crazy to say the best chef I know is from a lady who doesn't know what food tastes like? So here's what we know. We know that the prime minister sent Mullah to Dubai for medical checkups.
That trip is confirmed by her passport stamp, but we have no way of contacting those doctors to ask them what's true. We know that everybody around Mullahwork believes her story, not just her family, but also her neighbors and acquaintances, who have no incentive to lie. But we also know that it's not humanly possible to survive without food or water, let alone for 16 years.
So that must mean that Mullahwork is a superhuman, unless she's the most talented liar of all time. What do you guys think? I'd love to hear your debates in the comments down below, as this puzzle remains unfinished.
