Tripolino Giannini was born in Cecina, Tuscany, Italy, on 20 August 1912. At some point, he married a woman named Tosca, and the couple had two children: Romano and Sergio (who died in 2004). He ran a fruit and vegetable shop in Piazza Carducci. In 1929, he participated in the first foot race of the Targa Cecina, finishing fourth. He served as a Bersaglieri.
As of August 2021, he had five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. In August 2023, he celebrated his 111th birthday at home with a party attended by friends, relatives, and officials from the Cecina municipal administration, including Deputy Mayor Antonio Giuseppe Costantino and Municipal Councilor Mauro Niccolini. Representatives from local chapters of the National Bersaglieri Association also joined the celebration. At that time, he was reported to be in good health, remaining lucid, interactive, conversing with everyone, and cherishing relationships. When asked about the secret to his longevity, he attributed it to light meals, a good glass of wine, abstaining from smoking, and minimizing stress.
Tripolino Giannini passed away in Cecina, Tuscany, Italy, on 31 December 2023 at 09:30 am, at the age of 111 years, 133 days.
On 26 November 2021, following the death of 109-year-old Giuseppe Venturi, he became the oldest known living man in Italy.
On 1 June 2022, following the death of 112-year-old Delio Venturotti of Brazil, he became the oldest known living Italian-born man.
His age was verified by Paolo Scarabaggio, and validated by the ESO on 27 September 2022.
At the time of death, he was the second-oldest (known) living man in Europe, behind André Ludwig of France. He was also the second-oldest living person in the region of Tuscany, behind Cristina Paloscia.
* “Nonno Tripoli compie 109 anni e per lui arriva l’omino di ferro Il” – Tirreno, 22 August 2021
* “Cecina, festa grande per Tripoli Giannini: compie 110 anni ed è l’uomo più vecchio d’Italia” – LivornoToday, 20 August 2022
* “Tripolino Giannini, il nonno più anziano di Italia” – italiani.it, 24 August 2023
* “Cecina, è morto Tripoli Giannini: era l’uomo più vecchio d’Europa. Aveva 111 anni e 133 giorni” – Il Tirreno, 31 December 2023