Family celebrates 114 years of the world's oldest man: 'We are hoping to celebrate 115'

Farmer João Marinho Neto, considered the oldest man in the world, turned 114 years old on October 5th and celebrated the occasion at a party with his family in the municipality of Apuiarés, in the interior of Ceará, on the 10th. The Ceará native's title as oldest man was recognized by Guinness World Records in 2024, when João Marinho was 112 years old.

The party was attended by a representative from LongeviQuest, Iara Souza, who participated in the process of certifying João Marinho's age; and even the mayor of the municipality, Ana Rufino, went to the celebration. Staff at the nursing home where he has lived since losing his sight also attended.

João Marinho's eldest son, retired electrician Antônio Arilo Marinho, aged 81, went from Itapevi (SP), where he lives, to Apuiarés, more than 3 thousand kilometers away, to participate in the party.

"It really is a surprise for us. And we are, everyone is happy, and celebrates, and everyone even starts to be more careful like that", said Arilo.

João Marinho had eight children, six of whom are alive, including Antônio. Of the six children, five managed to attend the party. In addition, the century-old farmer has 22 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

How it lives and feeds

A few years ago, João Marinho lost his vision due to cataracts and, since then, according to his children, he recognizes other people by their voice. He lives in a shelter for the elderly in the municipality, where, according to the team, he follows a balanced diet without giving up eating what he likes: coffee, brown sugar, grapes and free-range chicken.

On the 5th, when he turned 114, he exchanged bonuses with the second oldest man in the world, Australian Ken Weeks, aged 113. Coincidentally, they were both born on the same day, a year apart.

To g1, Antônio Arilo said that the family hopes to celebrate João Marinho's 115th birthday in 2027.

"He was so soft, with life and age. What's more, until now, he doesn't have high blood pressure. He doesn't have high cholesterol. He doesn't have diabetes. He's just old. That's why we think we're still going to celebrate 115", said the record holder's eldest son.

Recognized record

LongeviQuest, a group of researchers that is a reference in monitoring and mapping supercentenarians around the world, had already reported that, in April 2024, when he was still 111 years old, João Marinho Neto had become the oldest man in Latin America, after the death of Venezuelan Juan Vicente Pérez Mora, who was 114 years old.

The record, however, was only recognized on November 28, 2024, after the death of John Tinniswood, the British owner of the brand, who died on November 25 of the same year. Three days later, Guinness World Records confirmed the Ceará native's title. At the time, he was 112 years and 52 days old.

One of João Marinho's youngest sons, Marcos Vinícius, now 42 years old, commented at the time that his father was aware of the record he achieved. “He talks to me a lot; he asks, ‘Is there anyone else who is the same age as me?’ Then I say no, I don’t know him,” said Marcos.

'I had a happy life'

João Marinho Neto was born in the city of Maranguape, in the metropolitan region of Fortaleza, on October 5, 1912. He comes from a family of farmers, who moved to the rural area of Apuiarés, in the interior of Ceará, when he was still a child.

He owned a rural property where he planted crops and raised animals. In 1944, he married Josefa Albano dos Santos, with whom he had five children, two of whom are deceased. Later, João had three more children with another partner, Antonia Rodrigues Moura.

In 2024, when visited by TV Verdes Mares and asked about the long life he lived, the farmer is frank in his answer. "I had a happy life, my son [...], very healthy, I had everything, I had cattle to make cheese, I had everything", he highlights.