Iron lung man Paul Alexander, who lived inside an iron lung for more than 70 years, dies at 78

Paul Alexander, the man who spent over 70 years living in an iron lung, has passed away at the age of 78. The fundraiser for his healthcare in Dallas, Texas confirmed his death on Monday, without giving further details.

An announcement on his now closed GoFundMe page informed supporters of his passing.

The funds raised on the page exceeded $143,000 (£111,765), which were utilized to cover his medical expenses and secure suitable housing for him. In 2020, Paul released his autobiography titled 'Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung'. His remarkable endurance in an iron lung earned him recognition from Guinness World Records for having spent the longest duration in such a device.

Alexander contracted polio at the age of six in 1952, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. He relied on the iron lung to breathe for the rest of his life, despite advancements in technology.

Despite his physical limitations, Alexander accomplished much as a published author, lawyer, and world traveler. He is remembered for his positive attitude and smile.

Paul's health had been a concern after his social media manager, Lincoln, posted an update saying that he had been rushed to the hospital and tested positive for Covid. The post was on 27 February and Paul received an outpouring of well-wishes and positive messages from his fans.

Despite spending most of his life in an iron lung due to polio paralysis, Paul never let it hold him back. He graduated high school second in his class and continued his education, even though he believed he could have been at the top if he had access to the biology lab.

Paul worked as a teacher, educating court secretaries on legal terms, until he passed the bar exam in 1986. He then pursued a career in family law.