Visiting the World’s Oldest Man on His 114th Birthday

On 10 October 2026, I had the joy and honor of being in Apuiarés, Ceará, to celebrate the 114th birthday of Mr. João Marinho Neto—the oldest living man in the world—during a truly special occasion marked by warmth, emotion, and gratitude.

More than just attending a birthday party, I had the opportunity to learn more about his life story, meet people who are part of his journey, and witness firsthand just how precious his life is to everyone privileged enough to know him. As a LongeviQuest researcher and representative for Brazil, experiencing this moment is something I will cherish deeply. Mr. João’s longevity inspires us, but being close to him and the people in his life allows us to understand that, behind an extraordinary story, there are bonds, memories, dedication, and a great deal of love.

(The article was co-written with Gabriel Ainsworth.)

 

Biography

João Marinho Neto was born in Maranguape, Ceará, Brazil on 5 October 1912, into a family of farmers. His parents were Antônio Júlio da Graça (1879) and Victoria da Virgem Mártyr (1882). During his childhood, his parents moved the family to a rural area of Apuiarés (at the time a district of Pentecoste). From the age of about four, João was already enjoying helping his father and his employee in the fields.

In 1944, João married Josefa Albano dos Santos (1920–1994), with whom he had five children: Antônio Arilo, José Almir (deceased), Fátima, Raimundo, and Vanda (deceased). His wife had inherited property at Fazenda Massapê, where João cultivated the land with corn and beans. He also raised cattle, goats, pigs, and chickens. Later in his life, João had three more children—Vinícius, Jarbas, and Conceição—with Antônia Rodrigues Moura. Through hard work, João built a financially stable life, accruing assets such as land and houses.

When asked about the secret to his longevity, he attributed it to being surrounded by good people, avoiding too much solitude, and having his children close to share love and connection. Longevity also ran in his family, as his younger sister, Mercê (1919–2022), lived to the age of 102.

 

Longevity

On 2 April 2024, following the passing of 114-year-old Juan Vicente Pérez Mora of Venezuela, he became the oldest (known) living man in Latin America, at the age of 111 years, 180 days.

On 25 November 2024, following the passing of 112-year-old John Tinniswood, he became the World’s Oldest Living Man, at the age of 112 years, 51 days.

He is currently the world’s 10th-oldest living person whose age has been fully validated by LongeviQuest. Recently, he exchanged birthday greetings with Australia’s Ken Weeks, the world’s second-oldest living man. The two men share the same birthday, exactly one year apart, and sent each other congratulatory messages. This marked the first documented occasion on which the world’s oldest and second-oldest living men had communicated with each other.

 

I feel immense joy and gratitude to God for making this special meeting possible. The hugs, the smiles, and every shared moment made this celebration truly unforgettable. Mr. João, may God continue to bless your life and light the way for all those who care for you with such affection!

My thanks to everyone who was part of this celebration and helped make this day so special. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. João’s family for their warm welcome, their trust, and for sharing such special moments with us. Learning more about his history through the people who love him made the experience even more meaningful. I also extend a very special thank you to the entire team at Lar São Sebastião, where Mr. João resides. It was moving to see the care, dedication, and respect with which he is treated every day. It is beautiful to see that, alongside the necessary care, he receives attention, affection, and love. My appreciation goes to every professional who contributes to his well-being and ensures he feels embraced and valued.