LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Ilie Ciocan, 112, the oldest living man in Europe and Romania’s all-time longevity record holder.
Ilie Ciocan was born on 10 June 1913 in Cremenari, Vâlcea County, Romania. Orphaned young, he began working as a cowherd to survive and was cared for by his eldest brother, Alion. At 18, he married Floarea Obogeanu, with whom he had six children. Drafted at 22, he served in the 6th Pitești Artillery Regiment during World War II as a courier, gun crew member, and infantry assistant on both the Eastern and Western Fronts.
Discharged in 1945, he returned home in weakened health but without combat injuries. After 1990, he was granted the rank of major in retirement. His wife died in 1992. At 70, he underwent three surgeries in one day but remained active, cycling until nearly 90, until old war injuries limited his mobility.
On 25 November 2024, after the death of 112-year-old Briton John Tinniswood, Ciocan became the Oldest Living Man in Europe.
On 16 January 2025, at the age of 111 years and 220 days, Ciocan surpassed the final age of Dumitru Comănescu (1908–2020), who lived to 111 years and 219 days, becoming the oldest validated man — and the oldest validated person — in Romanian history. Eventually, on 12 April 2025, Ciocan became the oldest known person ever born in Romania.
We would like to thank everyone involved in the validation process and extend our congratulations to his family. We wish him many more years of health and happiness, surrounded by his loved ones.
