World’s oldest man dies just two months before 115th birthday
He credited drinking as one reason for his long life.
The world’s oldest man has died – and was two months away from turning 115.
Juan Vicente Pérez Mora leaves behind 11 children, 41 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
Guinness World Records confirmed the Venezuelan as the oldest living man at 112 years and 253 days in 2022, a feat he attributed to necking Colombian liquor.
Freddy Bernal, the governor of Táchira, confirmed Juan’s passing yesterday. His cause of death was not specified.
‘Our dear Juan Vicente Pérez 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,’ he wrote on X.
‘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.’
Nicolás Madura, the president of Venezuela, added on X that Juan ‘transcended into eternity’ at 114.
‘I send my hug and condolences to his family and to all the people of El Cobre,’ he said, referring to the farming town Juan was from.
In tributes posed on The 110 Club, a supercentenarian forum, a user said: ‘It is incredible to have had the opportunity to witness all the milestones of such a remarkable man.
‘When I knew him for the first time in January 2022, I never imagined he would get this far, I never imagined he would reach his 114th birthday… A legacy that will not be forgotten.’
‘Uncle Juan’, as he was known to those who knew him, will be buried in San José de Bolívar.
Born on May 27, 1909, Juan was the ninth child of ten to Eutiquio del Rosario Pérez Mora and Edelmira Mora.
He spent his childhood helping his dad and brothers harvest sugar cane and coffee beans in Los Pajuiles, San José de Bolívar.
While working as a sheriff in Caricuena in the late 1940s, Juan married Ediofina del Rosario García.
They were together for six decades up until Ediofina died in 1997.
Juan has seen a lot over the years. Living through two world wars, the first man on the moon, the dawn of the internet and everything in between.
His first ID card, taken when he was 51, was in black and white.
Even after turning grey, Juan had ‘exceptional health and memory’, his family said., and loved nothing more than spending time with his children.
He became Venezuela’s first male supercentenarian when he celebrated his 110th birthday in 2019, living out the rest of his birthdays with his family while eating Creole food in the Andean Region, Spanish news agency EFE reported.
Juan officially became a world record-holder after Saturnino de la Fuente Garcia – born on February 11, 1909, in Spain – died aged 112 in 2022.
For Juan, his long life can be explained by four things he did every single day: praying, working hard, getting into bed early – and drinking a cup of aguardiente, an anise-flavoured liquor.
He hoped to be remembered as a hard worker, faithful husband and devout Catholic.
‘My uncle Vicente transmits a lot of peace, tranquillity and radiates a lot of joy. He is a person who has a lot to give,’ his nephew Fredy Abreu told Guinness World Records.
‘He enjoys the basics of life and is very grateful to God. His family is his support.’
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