A 69-year-old Dutchman, Emile Ratelband has filed a lawsuit to reduce his age by 20 years.
Emile Ratelband, who describes himself as a “positivity trainer” wants to shift his birthday from March 11, 1949, to March 11, 1969.
Ratelband, a media personality, entrepreneur and trainer in neuro-linguistic programming, said he feels discriminated against because of his age, saying his chances of getting employed or finding a partner on dating app, Tinder has reduced because of his age.
“We live in a time when you can change your name and change your gender. Why can’t I decide my own age?” he said.
“When I’m 69, I am limited. If I’m 49, then I can buy a new house, drive a different car. I can take up more work. When I’m on Tinder and it says I’m 69, I don’t get an answer. When I’m 49, with the face I have, I will be in a luxurious position,” he added.
According to BBC, Ratelband launched the legal battle in a local court in Arnhem and judges are expected to rule on the case in four weeks.
One of the judges was reported saying: “Who were your parents looking after then (referring to the 20 years Ratelband wants to erase)? Who was that little boy?”
In his argument, Ratelband, who describes himself as a “young god,” said his doctors have told him he had the body of a 45-year-old.
In a post in his Facebook made in 2017 Ratelband said the decision to challenge his legal age was not because he was afraid of getting old, but rather he wants to make the most of life for as long as possible. Ratelband also said that he would renounce his pension if he successfully reduces his age.
Ratelband has been married twice and has seven children from three relationships. He converted to Buddhism this year and was involved in Dutch politics in the early 2000s.
In 2011, Ratelband acted as the voice of Vladimir in the Dutch-language version of Cars 2.