Brazilian pig farmer becomes world’s oldest man, aged 112 years and 55 days – and credits his long life to ‘being surrounded by good people’
A Brazilian former pig farmer who fathered seven children with two partners has been officially named the world’s oldest man following the death of Englishman John Alfred Tinniswood.
Mr Tinniswood died in Southport on Monday at the age of 112, just months after breaking the Guinness World Record.
The new title holder has now been identified as Joao Marinho Neto, 112 years and 55 days old today.
Guinness World Records said Tuesday on
It added in a statement: ‘A Brazilian man has been confirmed as the world’s oldest living man following the death of British John Tinniswood at the age of 112.
‘Joao Marinho Neto was 112 years and 52 days old, as confirmed by LongeviQuest in Apuiares, Ceara, Brazil, on November 26.
Born in Maranguape, Ceara, Brazil, on October 5, 1912, he was previously recognized as the oldest living man in Brazil and Latin America.
‘He is now also the last surviving man born in 1912.
Brazilian former pig farmer Joao Marinho Neto has become the world’s oldest man at 112 years and 55 days
Joao in the picture with his son. He became the oldest man in the world after the death of Englishman John Alfred Tinniswood earlier this week
Joao was pictured with his family in an undated photo. He has said that the secret to a long life is “to be surrounded by good people and to keep one’s loved ones close.”
‘Joao was born into a farming family and moved with his parents to a rural area in Apuiares.
‘When he was four, he helped his father in the fields.
“His duties on the farm include helping to care for livestock and harvesting fruit from Juazeiro trees.
‘Joao subsequently married Josefa Albano dos Santos (1920–1994), and they welcomed four children together: Antonio, Jose, Fatima and Vanda.
‘He followed in his father’s footsteps and cultivated the land his then wife inherited in Fazenda Massape, growing maize and beans.
‘He also raised cattle, goats, pigs and chickens.
Joao, who has said the secret to his long life is “being surrounded by good people and keeping his loved ones close,” later welcomed three more children named Vinicius, Jarbas and Conceicao with partner Antonia Rodrigues Moura.
“He has six living children, 22 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.”
It comes after Briton John Alfred Tinniswooed (pictured) died this week at the age of 112. He had become the oldest man in the world
A spokesperson for LongeviQuest, which defines itself as the global authority on maximum human longevity, said: ‘We sincerely congratulate him and his family on this remarkable achievement. We wish him good health and many more years of happiness. His story is an inspiration to people all over the world.”
Joao turned 111 years old on April 2, 180 days old, the oldest known living man in Latin America after the death of 114-year-old Venezuelan Juan Vicente Perez Mora.
Mr. Perez Mora’s death led to World War II veteran Mr. Tinniswood becoming the world’s oldest man for a few months.
Paying tribute to the lifelong Liverpool fan earlier this week, his family said in a statement: ‘John had many good qualities. He was intelligent, decisive, courageous, calm in every crisis, talented in mathematics and a great conversationalist.’
The oldest living woman in the world is currently Japan’s Tomiko Itoooka, who is 116 years old.