Bonita Gibson, Michigan’s Oldest Resident, Turns 114
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BIOGRAPHY
Bernabé Córdoba was born in Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica on 11 June 1915, to a single mother Carolina Córdoba. As he was born on the Feast Day of St. Barnabas, his parents named him after the early Christian apostle. When he was young, he lived in Guayabo de Bagaces, Guanacaste, with his mother and sister, Lucila. He was orphaned at a young age, so he lived on a ranch as a day laborer, — he assisted his family in growing sugar cane, which he would grind in their sugar press. He worked for over 45 years for the Banana Company, caring for and transporting livestock for domestic consumption. He never married but had a partner Ofelia Vargas Valles, a cook for day laborers, with whom he had two daughters, Zaida and Sara.
His diet was based on products made from corn, rice, beans, and tubers, as well as fish from artisanal fishing, beef, and cow’s milk derivatives. He has always been known for being a person who likes to share, hardworking, humble, and loving, with a devotion to the Virgin of the Angels, patron saint of Costa Rica. Among his favorite hobbies was making quijongos (musical instrument) and jícaros guacales (a small traditional container). He was an experienced veterinarian serving the community and loved listening to music on the radio.
In 1976, at the age of 61, he moved with his family to Salitral, Santa Ana, San José, where he resides today with his youngest daughter and enjoys the love of his daughters, granddaughters, and great-grandchildren.
RECOGNITION
Following the death of 110 year old Juan Gabriel Hernández Matamoros on 20 January 2024, he became the oldest documented and undisputed living man in Costa Rica.
His age was verified by James Roberts and Fabrizio Villatoro, and validated by LongeviQuest on 22 June 2025.
ATTRIBUTION
* 108th Birthday Report – Fotografia Vital Monge (Facebook), 11 June 2023
* 109th Birthday Report – Fotografia Vital Monge (Facebook), 11 June 2024
GALLERY
As a young man, riding a horse. (Source: Fotografia Vital Monge)
When he was in his 40s. (Source: Courtesy of the family)
On 15 January 1973, aged 57. (Source: Courtesy of the family)
Bernabé and his partner Ofelia in 1990s in Santa Ana, San José, Costa Rica. (Source: Courtesy of the family)
At the age of 106. (Source: Galería de Antiguedades SANTA ANA)
At the age of 107. (Source: Fotografia Vital Monge)
On his 109th birthday in 2024. (Source: Fotografia Vital Monge)
Bernabé Córdoba on his 110th birthday. (Source: Fotografia Vital Monge)
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