Juan Vicente Perez Mora managed to survive two World Wars and the gruelling Covid-19 pandemic but tragically “transcended into eternity” last night as tributes flood in for the Venezuelan icon.
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The former farmer became the oldest man in his homeland in 2020 and officially became the oldest man alive in May 2022 when he was recognised by the Guinness Book of Records.
He leaves behind a huge family made up of 11 loving kids, 41 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
Freddy Bernal, the governor of his home state of Tachira in Venezuela, confirmed his death.
Mr Bernal took to X to say: “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.”
Juan went by the nickname Tio Juan which translates into English as Uncle Juan.
Bernal continued: “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.”
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro added: “Juan Vicente Perez Mora has transcended into 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 all the people of El Cobre, Tachira state. May God receive him in his holy glory!”
The oldest things in the world
These people, places and things prove that getting old isn’t always a bad thing.
PEOPLE
Maria Branyas Morera still holds the record of the oldest women currently after she turned 117 on March 4.
Born in San Francisco, the grandmother has lived most of her life in Spain‘s Catalonia region and has been in the same nursing home for the past 23 years.
Maria took the honour off a blind French nun called Lucile Randon (pictured) after she died in January 2023.
The oldest man comes up looking young compared to the ladies with Juan Vicente Pérez Mora being 114 years old.
He says the key to his never-ending aging is a glass of Spanish alcohol daily known as aguardiente.
ANIMALS
The world’s oldest living land animal is a friendly Seychelles giant tortoise named Jonathan.
Coming in at 191 Jonathan’s estimated 1832 birth year makes him older than stamps, the telephone, and the photograph.
A cat taken in as a rescue kitten in 1991 is seen as the world’s oldest living feline.
Rosie, a fluffy-tailed tortoise-shell, is due to celebrate her 33rd birthday in June.
COUNTRY
Despite much debate, San Marino is widely considered the world’s oldest country being first founded on September 3, in the year 301BC.
FEMALE BODYBUILDER
At 86 years old Ernestine Shepherd is the oldest female bodybuilder to compete today.