According to Guinness World Records, the world’s oldest living man has died just weeks before he was set to turn 115.
Juan Vicente Pérez Mora was born on May 27, 1909, in Venezuela to his parents, Euquitio Pérez and Edelmira Mora. Pérez had held the record of the oldest man alive since Feb. 4, 2022, when Guinness awarded him the honor when he was 112 and 253 days old.
When he was given the honor, Pérez credited his long life to “working hard, resting on holidays, going to bed early, drinking a glass of aguardiente every day, loving God, and always carrying him in his heart.”
Pérez told the record keepers that his faith was central to his life, as he prayed at least twice a day, growing his relationship with God.
At the time of his death, Perez was living in the Venezuelan state of Táchira, and the state’s governor shared the news of his passing.
“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,” Gov. Freddy Bernal posted on X.
Pérez had 11 children with his wife Ediofina del Rosario García. The pair were married for 60 years. From their six sons and five daughters, Pérez had 42 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
The record keepers shared that Pérez started working in agriculture at the age of 5 and only attended school for a short time so he could learn to read and write. In 1948, he became the sheriff of his town, a position he held for 10 years.
“Juan Vicente Pérez Mora has transcended into eternity at 114 years old. I send my hugs and condolences to his family and to all the people of El Cobre, Táchira state. May God receive him in his holy glory,” Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro said in a post to social media.