Guinness World Records is saddened to learn of the death of the world's oldest man Juan Vicente Pérez (Venezuela, b. 27 May 1909) at the age of 114.
He would have turned 115 next month.
His death was confirmed by Freddy Bernal, the governor of Táchira, Venezuela, where Juan lived.
He wrote on X: "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.
"Together with my wife and children we had the pleasure and the 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 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.
"Rest in peace my dear old man, my Don Juan Vicente. We will never forget you."
President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela also paid tribute, writing: "Juan Vicente Perez Mora has transcended into eternity at 114 years old.
Nuestro querido Juan Vicente Pérez Mora, hoy con profunda tristeza y dolor nos despedimos de usted, de ese arquetipo de hombre tachirense, humilde, trabajador, apacible, entusiasta de la familia y la tradición. pic.twitter.com/ohiPzrsWgD
— Freddy Bernal (@FreddyBernal) April 3, 2024
"From the town of El Cobre he gave Venezuela the Guinness Record [sic] for being the oldest man in the world.
"I send my hug and condolences to his family and to all the people of El Cobre, Tachira state. May God receive him in his holy glory!"
Juan Vicente was confirmed as the oldest man living after Saturnino de la Fuente Garcia (Spain, b. 11 February 1909) passed away on 18 January 2022 at 112 years and 341 days.
Juan was announced as the oldest man living at 112 years and 253 days, as of 4 February 2022.
He 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."
Juan Vicente was married to Ediofina del Rosario García for 60 years until her passing in 1997. Together, they established a family of 11 children, consisting of six sons and five daughters.
He later welcomed 42 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren into the family.
In 2019, he celebrated his 110th birthday, becoming the first male supercentenarian from Venezuela.
After living through both World Wars, seeing the invention of the television, and witnessing the landing of a man on the moon, Juan Vicente also survived COVID-19 in 2020.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.
It’s been an honour to recognize and celebrate the incredible long life of Venezuela’s first ever fully authenticated supercentenarian man. 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. How remarkable to think that we’ve just said goodbye to a man born before Louis Bleriot flew across the English Channel! - Craig Glenday, Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief
The next oldest man living is currently being confirmed.
There is a need for intense scrutiny with old-age claims, and GWR is advised in its ratification of longevity claims by the Gerontology Research Group, and, since 2005, by Senior Gerontology Consultant Robert Young.
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