Paul Veit

BIOGRAPHY

Paul Veit was born in Henriette, Elbe-Elster, Brandenburg, Germany, on 15 January 1903. He moved to Neuruppin in 1912 with his parents, his sister, and his brother. The children were enrolled in a reputable local school, although Veit later described himself as a poor student. After completing a confectioner’s apprenticeship in Brandenburg an der Havel together with his brother Otto, the two brothers took over a chocolate shop in Neuruppin in 1924. By 1930, they had become owners of a house whose ground floor housed their marzipan and chocolate business, while the brothers lived in the apartment above the shop.

Everything they had built was left in ruins after the Second World War. During the war, Veit was sent to the Eastern Front and later became a prisoner of war in Norway. When he returned home in 1947, his property had already been nationalized, forcing him to abandon all hopes of continuing his chocolate business. He had met his wife, Charlotte, in the 1930s, and they later had a daughter, Marion. In East Germany, he spent the remainder of his working life as a store manager and retired at the age of 71.

At the age of 109, it was reported that his daughter woke him at 8:30 each morning and put him back to bed at 8:30 in the evening. Paul typically spent these twelve hours in the apartment, enjoying television or simply gazing out the window. He believed that this calm, orderly life contributed to his longevity: little alcohol, no cigarettes, and no affairs.

At the age of 110, it was reported that he could still understand every word, provided it was spoken loudly enough.

Paul Veit passed away in Neuruppin, Brandenburg, Germany, on 21 March 2013, at the age of 110 years, 65 days.

RECOGNITION

Following the passing of Martin Dressel (12 January 1903 − 18 May 2011), he became the Oldest Living Man in Germany, at the age of 108. He held the title until his own passing in March 2013, when he was succeeded by Bernhard Prott (16 September 1904 − 16 July 2013).

Although he was the oldest living man in Germany, he did not become the oldest German-born man until 7 January 2013, following the death of Carl Berner in New York, USA.

His age was validated by the European Supercentenarian Organisation (ESO) on 5 March 2020.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Paul Veit feiert 109. Geburtstag – als ältester Deutscher” – Tagesspiegel, 16 January 2012

* “So lebt der älteste Mann Deutschlands” – B.Z. – Die Stimme Berlins, 22 January 2012

* “So wird man 110: Tanzen und Lachen” – Märkische Allgemeine Zeitung: MAZ, 14 January 2013

GALLERY

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