We are sorry to inform Guinness World Records of the passing of Juan Vicente Pérez, the oldest man in the world, who was born in Venezuela on May 27, 1909, and was 114 years old.
Next month, he would have turned 115.
Freddy Bernal, the governor of Táchira, Venezuela, where Juan resided, verified his death.
“Our dear Juan Vicente Perez Mora, today we say goodbye to you with deep sadness and pain. You are that archetype of a man from Tachira, humble, hardworking, peaceful, and enthusiastic about family and tradition,” as he wrote on X.
“We will always cherish my old Don Vicente’s optimism, faith, hope, and abiding love for our state of Tachira.
His memory will endure always in our hearts and in our lives since he will always be a representation of kindness, knowledge, and happiness.
“May my beloved Don Juan Vicente, the old man, rest in peace. You will always be remembered by us.”
In a tribute, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro wrote: “At 114 years old, Juan Vicente Perez Mora has transcended into eternity.”
“He gave Venezuela the Guinness Record [sic] for being the oldest man in the world, hailing from the village of El Cobre.
“His family, as well as the entire community of El Cobre, Tachira state, have my deepest sympathies and embrace. May God crown him with holiness and glory!”
After Saturnino de la Fuente Garcia (Spain, born 11 February 1909) passed away on January 18, 2022, at the age of 112 years and 341 days, Juan Vicente was officially recognized as the oldest living person.
As of February 4, 2022, Juan was declared the oldest living man, clocking in at 112 years and 253 days.
He credited his long life to “working hard, resting on holidays, going to bed early, drinking a glass of aguardiente every day, loving God, and always carrying him in his heart.”
Ediofina del Rosario García and Juan Vicente were wed for sixty years until her death in 1997. Eleven children were born into their family—six males and five daughters—together.
Later on, he welcomed into the family 42 grandkids, 18 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
He turned 110 years old in 2019 and became the first Venezuelan male supercentenarian.
Juan Vicente also survived COVID-19 in 2020, having lived through both World Wars, the invention of television, and the landing of a man on the moon.
It has been a privilege to honor and commemorate the very long life of the first fully verified supercentenarian man in Venezuela. In addition to being the oldest man in his nation and the first in South America to be recognized as the oldest living person by GWR, Sr. Perez Mora is currently the fourth oldest man in history whose age has been formally confirmed.
It’s incredible to consider that we recently bid farewell to a man who was born before Louis Bleriot crossed the English Channel! – Craig Glenday, Chief Editor of Guinness World Records
It’s still being confirmed who the next oldest living man is.
The Gerontology Research Group and Senior Gerontology Consultant Robert Young have supported GWR in its confirmation of longevity claims since 2005. There is a need for close examination of old-age claims.
