Juan Vicente Pérez

Juan Vicente Pérez Mora (27 May 1909 – 2 April 2024) was a Venezuelan supercentenarian who, until his death aged 114 years, 311 days, was the world's oldest verified living man following the death of Spain's Saturnino de la Fuente García on 18 January 2022. He is currently the oldest validated person ever from Venezuela, as well as the fourth-oldest validated man ever.

Biography

Early life Pérez was born on 27 May 1909 in El Cobre, Venezuela, as the ninth child of Eutiquio Pérez and Edelmira Mora. In his early youth, his family moved to Los Paujiles in San José de Bolívar, Táchira, to work in agriculture. He mainly worked in harvesting sugar cane and coffee.

Later life His wife died in 1997 after nearly 60 years of marriage, and thereafter his home and family were mainly cared for by his daughter Edilia del Carmen until her death in 2006. He had 41 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

Death Pérez died at his residence in San José de Bolívar, Táchira, on 2 April 2024, aged 114 years and 311 days. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro paid tribute to him on X (Twitter),

Health and longevity Health and diet In 2007, aged 98, Pérez had his dental prosthesis removed and began to use a wheelchair. He credited his longevity to working hard, praying the rosary twice a day, and drinking a glass of aguardiente every day. His age was validated by Latin American Supercentenarians (LAS) on 3 January 2021. Pérez became the world's oldest man. This was verified by Guinness World Records on 4 February, and announced on 17 May. His 113th birthday on 27 May 2022 was marked by a large celebration with his family, attended by many members of the community. Five days later, he became the last known man born in the 1900s decade, following the death of Italian-Brazilian man Delio Venturotti (25 October 1909 – 1 June 2022). This occasion was once again marked by a large celebration with many ecclesiastical elements, as well as visits from longevity researchers, local media, and town representatives.

Upon his death, he was succeeded as the world's oldest man by Chinese man Shi Ping (1 November 1911 – 29 June 2024). However, Shi's age claim was not yet verified at the time, so initially John Tinniswood (26 August 1912 – 25 November 2024) was thought to be the successor to Pérez. Tinniswood gained the title upon Shi's death.