Virgilio Dávalos Rey, the oldest living man in Paraguay, has been officially validated by LongeviQuest on 26 January. At the age of 111 years, 110 days, he is also the oldest verified living resident of Paraguay.
Virgilio Dávalos Rey was born in the rural town of Plácido, on the outskirts of Coronel Oviedo, Caaguazú Department, Paraguay, on 8 October 1914. He was the fourth of six children born to parents Remigio Dávalos and Lorenza Rey.
During the Chaco War (1932–1935), he served in several military roles, including logistics in the War Intendancy, naval inspections along the Pilcomayo River, and frontline duty with Infantry Regiment No. 10 “Sauce.” Illness forced him to leave the front lines in 1935, and the war left him with hearing loss in one ear and impaired eyesight. After recovering, he worked in the military quartermaster’s office before returning to his home community of Plácido, where he learned the war had ended.
September 2002, on his wedding anniversary. (Source: Courtesy of the family).
He married María Santa López Martínez (1913–2017) in 1940, with whom he had six daughters: Tomasa, Nimia, Francisca, Apolonia, Dominga, and Sara. After the war, he settled in his native Plácido, where he focused on trading local fruits, tobacco, petitgrain essence, and buying and selling cattle, among other activities. Over the years, he emerged as a community leader and successfully organized the community to build a primary school, which has provided education for over seven decades.
His age was verified by Fabrizio Villatoro and James Roberts, with the assistance of his family, to whom we extend our sincere thanks and congratulations. We also congratulate Mr. Virgilio and wish him many more years of health and happiness.
