Most people dream of winning the lottery, but few would believe they deserved it quite as much as Frane Selak. The Croatian music teacher lived a life so unbelievable that it sounds more like the plot of an action-packed Hollywood film than reality. Before his incredible lottery win in 2009, Frane had already survived seven near-death experiences—including a train derailment, a plane crash, multiple car accidents, and even being hit by a bus.

So, was he the luckiest man alive or the unluckiest? That depends on how you look at it. Let’s dive into the insane life of Frane Selak, a man who cheated death time and time again—only to hit the jackpot in the most ironic twist of fate.

Disaster #1: A Train Crash That Should Have Killed Him

Frane Selak’s brush with death began in 1962 when he was travelling on a train through a freezing canyon in Croatia. Without warning, the train derailed and plunged into the icy river below. Seventeen passengers drowned, but Selak somehow managed to swim to shore with only minor injuries. It was a terrifying experience, but little did he know that it was just the beginning.

Disaster #2: A Plane Crash Without a Parachute

A year later, in 1963, Frane boarded a flight from Zagreb to Rijeka. Midway through the journey, disaster struck—the plane’s door suddenly blew open, sucking Selak and several other passengers out into the open sky. While the others plummeted to their deaths, Frane miraculously survived by landing in a haystack. The plane crashed, killing 19 people, but once again, Selak walked away with minor injuries.

Disaster #3: A Bus Accident That Defied the Odds

In 1966, Selak had another close call when he was on a bus that skidded off the road and crashed into a river. Four passengers drowned, but as if guided by some unseen force, Selak managed to escape unscathed.

Disaster #4 & #5: Car Explosions That Should Have Ended Him

If escaping train wrecks and plane crashes wasn’t enough, Frane then had a couple of terrifying incidents with his own vehicles. In 1970, while driving his car, the engine caught fire. He barely escaped before the fuel tank exploded, destroying the vehicle completely. Just three years later, in 1973, he was driving another car when a faulty fuel pump caused flames to shoot through the air vents. His hair was singed, but once again, he survived.

Disaster #6: Hit by a Bus—Because Why Not?

By 1995, Frane was in his sixties, and you’d think his days of dodging death were behind him. Nope. That year, he was hit by a bus while walking in the streets of Zagreb. While most people wouldn’t walk away from such an accident, Selak survived with only minor injuries.

Disaster #7: The Cliffside Escape That Defied Logic

A year later, in 1996, Frane was driving on a winding mountain road when he suddenly swerved to avoid an oncoming truck. His car smashed through a guardrail and plummeted off a 300-foot cliff. But in what can only be described as fate laughing in disbelief, Selak was flung from the vehicle at the last second and landed safely in a tree, watching as his car exploded far below.

Then He Won the Lottery—Because Of Course He Did

After surviving seven near-death experiences, most people would assume that Frane Selak had used up every ounce of luck he had. But fate had one final surprise for him. In 2003, at the age of 73, Selak bought a lottery ticket—and won €900,000 ($1.1 million).

What Did He Do With the Money?

Rather than hoarding his fortune, Selak used the winnings to enjoy life but also gave much of it away. He bought a house, a few luxuries, and then in a final twist of irony, he gave most of his money to friends and family because he believed money didn’t bring happiness. He preferred a simple life—one where he didn’t have to worry about death trying to claim him again.

The Legacy of the World’s Luckiest (or Unluckiest) Man

Frane Selak passed away in 2016 at the age of 87, leaving behind one of the most absurd life stories ever recorded. He should have died many times over, but instead, he lived to tell the tale—again and again.

Was he cursed or blessed? That’s up for debate. But one thing is certain: Frane Selak’s story proves that fate has a twisted sense of humour.