The world’s oldest man has died two months before his 115th birthday after putting his long life down to ‘working hard, going to bed early, and carrying God in my heart’.
Juan Vicente Perez Mora leaves 11 children, 41 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
The former Venezuelan 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.
His death was confirmed by Freddy Bernal, the governor of the state of Tachira in Venezuela where he died.
Bernal said on X, formerly Twitter, overnight: ‘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.
Venezuelan Juan Vicente Perez Mora, the oldest man in the world, has died two months before his 115th birthday
He was crowned the oldest living male by Guinness World Records in May 2022
‘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.’
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!’
Juan Vicente was affectionately known as Tio Juan which translates into English as Uncle Juan.
Vicente was born in 1909 and was set to celebrate his 115th birthday on May 27.
He was the ninth child out of 10, and at age five, he began working with his dad and brothers in agriculture and assisted with sugar cane and coffee harvesting.
Vicente then went on to become a sheriff in Caricuena in 1948 and was responsible for resolving land and family disputes for ten years, while still working in agriculture.
He married Ediofina del Rosario García and they were together for 60 years until she passed away in 1997.
When Vicente was crowned the oldest living male in May 2022 by Guinness World Records, at 112 years and 253 days, they revealed: ‘His secret for a long life is to ‘work hard, rest on holidays, go to bed early, drink a glass of aguardiente every day, love God, and always carry him in your heart.
‘Besides agriculture, one of Juan’s most important passions is to build a strong relationship with God and his family. He is grateful for his life, as well as the food and the people that surround him’.
Vicente celebrated his 110th birthday in 2019, becoming Venezuela’s first male supercentenarian.
Vicente went on to become a sheriff in Caricuena in 1948
His daughter Nelyda Perez said at the time: ‘My dad is in very good health. He does not suffer from any disease that requires medical treatment.
‘The next day after resting, he says he wakes up very well. The whole family is very grateful for my daddy’s health.’
Throughout his long and incredible life, Vicente witnessed several remarkable inventions such as the television and internet.
When he was 51 years old, he had his ID photograph taken for the first time in black and white.
Guinness World Records is yet to officially comment on his death.
Spaniard Saturnino de la Fuente García was considered the world’s oldest man before Juan Vicente until he died a month short of his 113th birthday in January 2022.
The father-of-eight passed away at his home in the northern Spanish city of Leon on January 18 2022.
The retired shoemaker was due to celebrate his birthday with his family on February 8 that year, the date he claimed to have been born although official records record his birth three days later.
Saturnino 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 years and 211.
Vicente Perez Mora leaves 11 children, 41 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren
As well as fathering 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 Perez 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 at his residence in San Jose de Bolivar, Tachira, yesterday.