World’s oldest man, Juan Vicente Pérez Mora, dies at the age of 114
World's oldest man, Juan Vicente Pérez
Juan Vicente Pérez Mora, the world’s oldest man, passed away at the age of 114, on Tuesday (Apr 2), according to officials and relatives. Pérez was certified by the Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest man in 2022.
What we know about his death
“Juan Vicente Perez Mora has transcended into eternity at 114 years of age,” said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in a post on X. According to the Venezuelan president, the 114-year-old was from the town of El Cobre.
He would have turned 115 next month. Pérez officially became the record holder on February 4, 2022, when he was 112 years and 253 days old, according to Guinness.
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“Our dear Juan Vicente Perez Mora, today with deep sadness and pain we say goodbye to you, to that archetype of a man from Tachira, humble, hard-working, peaceful, enthusiastic about family and tradition,” said Freddy Bernal, the governor of Táchira, wherethe 114-year-oldlived.
He added, “My old Don Vicente, we will always remember him for his optimism in life, for faith, hope and that deep love for our state of Tachira. He will always be a symbol of goodness, wisdom and joy, which is why his legacy will live forever in our hearts and in our lives.”
“It’s been an honour to recognize and celebrate the incredible long life of Venezuela’s first ever fully authenticated supercentenarian man,” said Craig Glenday, Guinness World Records editor-in-chief, in a statement.
He added, “Not only was Sr Perez Mora his country’s oldest citizen and the first South American recognised by GWR as the oldest living man, he is now history’s fourth oldest male whose age has been officially ratified.”
About Pérez’s life
Pérez was born in the town of El Cobre on May 27, 1909, and was the ninth of 10 children. The 114-year-oldwent on to become a father of 11 and reportedly had 42 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
He was married to Ediofina del Rosario García for 60 years untilshe passed away in 1997.
Pérez, when he won the record in 2022, attributed his longevity 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,” according to Guinness.
(With inputs from agencies)