local
Retired doctor becomes oldest person to summit Kilimanjaro at age 90
By WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 14, 2026
· 3 min read
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) - A retired doctor became the oldest person to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, summiting the peak on his 90th birthday.Upon reaching the summit of Africa’s highest peak early Monday morning, Dr. Arthur Ulene celebrated with a birthday cake and some singing and dancing ...
Key takeaway “It was — if not the best — probably the best birthday celebration he’s ever had, but certainly the most unique," she told Alaska’s News Source.
Why this matters in The Nashville
While Dr. Arthur Ulene's remarkable feat of becoming the oldest person to summit Kilimanjaro at 90 is an inspiration to many, it also resonates with Nashville 's own community of outdoor enthusiasts and seniors. As a city with a growing population of active retirees, Nashville can draw motivation from Ulene's determination to redefine public perceptions of aging. His achievement serves as a testament to the importance of staying physically and mentally active, regardless of age. Locally, organizations that promote senior wellness and outdoor activities, such as hiking and fitness programs, may find Ulene's story a valuable tool to encourage their participants to push beyond their perceived limits. Furthermore, Ulene's record-breaking climb may also inspire Nashville's medical community, particularly those in geriatrics and sports medicine, to explore the benefits of exercise and physical activity for seniors, potentially leading to new initiatives and programs that support healthy aging in the city.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) - A retired doctor became the oldest person to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, summiting the peak on his 90th birthday.Upon reaching the summit of Africa’s highest peak early Monday morning, Dr. Arthur Ulene celebrated with a birthday cake and some singing and dancing ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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