The world’s oldest man died two months before his 115th birthday and attributed his long life to “working hard, going to bed early and carrying God in my heart.”
Venezuelan Juan Vicente Pérez Mora leaves 11 children, 41 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
The former farmer became the oldest man in his homeland in 2020 and officially became the oldest living man in May 2022, when he was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records.
His death was confirmed by Freddy Bernal, governor of the Táchira state in Venezuela where he died.
Bernal said on family. and tradition.
Venezuelan Juan Vicente Pérez Mora, the oldest man in the world, has died two months before his 115th birthday.
He was crowned the oldest living man by Guinness World Records in May 2022.
Vicente became sheriff in Caricuena in 1948.
‘Together with my wife and children we had the pleasure and pride of meeting him and sharing with his loved ones.
‘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 Táchira.
‘He will always be a symbol of goodness, wisdom and joy, that is why his legacy will live forever in our hearts and in our lives.
‘Rest in peace my dear old man, my Don Juan Vicente. We will never forget you.’
The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, added: ‘Juan Vicente Pérez Mora has transcended eternity at 114 years old.
‘From the town of El Cobre he gave Venezuela the Guinness Record for being the oldest man in the world.
‘I send my hug and condolences to his family and to the entire town of El Cobre, Táchira state. May God receive you in his holy glory!’
Juan Vicente was affectionately known as Tío Juan, which translates into English as Uncle Juan.
Vicente was born in 1909 and was due to celebrate his 115th birthday on May 27.
He was the ninth child of 10 and, at the age of five, he began working with his father and brothers in agriculture and helped harvest sugar cane and coffee.
Vicente then became sheriff in Caricuena in 1948 and was responsible for resolving family and land disputes for ten years, while still working in agriculture.
He married Ediofina del Rosario García and they were together for 60 years until she died in 1997.
When Vicente was crowned the oldest living man in May 2022 by the Guinness Book of Records, at 112 years and 253 days old, they revealed: “His secret to a long life is ‘work hard, rest on holidays, go to bed early , drink a glass of brandy every day, love God, and always carry him in your heart.
‘In addition to farming, one of Juan’s most important passions is building a strong relationship with God and his family. He is grateful for his life, as well as the food and people around him.”
Vicente celebrated his 110th birthday in 2019, becoming Venezuela’s first male supercentenarian.
Vicente Pérez Mora leaves 11 children, 41 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
His daughter Nelyda Pérez said at the time: ‘My father is in very good health. He does not suffer from any illness that requires medical treatment.
‘The next day, after resting, he says he wakes up very well. The whole family is very grateful for my dad’s health.’
Throughout his long and incredible life, Vicente witnessed several notable inventions, such as television and the Internet.
When he was 51 years old, a black and white identity photograph was taken for the first time.
Guinness World Records has yet to officially comment on his death.
Spaniard Saturnino de la Fuente García was considered the oldest man in the world before Juan Vicente until he died a month before his 113th birthday in January 2022.
The father of eight children died at his home in the city of León, northern Spain, on January 18, 2022.
The retired shoemaker was due to celebrate his birthday with his family on February 8 of that year, the date he claimed to have been born although official records record his birth three days later.
Saturninus earned his place as the world’s oldest man in the Guinness Book of Records in September 2021, when he reached the ripe old age of 112 and 211.
In addition to being the father of a large family with his wife Antonina Barrio, he had 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. One of the couple’s eight children, the only boy, died when he was still young.
Juan Pérez was born on May 27, 1909 in El Cobre, Venezuela. He worked for 50 years, mainly harvesting sugar cane and coffee.
His wife died in 1997 after nearly 60 years of marriage.
He died yesterday at his residence in San José de Bolívar, Táchira.