Juan Vicente Perez Mora: World’s oldest man dead at 114 after praising god and drinking liquor everyday

The world’s oldest man who previously said that drinking alcohol every day was his secret to longevity has died at 114-years-old.

Former Venezuelan farmer Juan Vicente Perez Mora was crowned the world’s oldest man by the Guinness World Records in early 2022 — 112 years and 253 days after he was born in 1909.

Less than two months out from his 115th Birthday Governor of Táchira Freddy Bernalm announced he had died at his residence on April 2.

“Our dear Juan Vicente Pérez Mora, today with deep sadness and pain we say goodbye to you, to that archetype of a man from Tachira, humble, hard-working, peaceful, enthusiastic about family and tradition,” he said on X.

“Together with my wife and children, we had the pleasure and pride of meeting him and sharing with his loved ones. My old Don Vicente, we will always remember him for his optimism in life, for faith, hope and that deep love for our state of Táchira.

“He will always be a symbol of goodness, wisdom and joy, which is why his legacy will live forever in our hearts and in our lives. Rest in peace my dear old man, my Don Juan Vicente. We will never forget you!”

Juan survived two world wars and the COVID-19 pandemic. He outlived his wife of almost 60 years after she died in 1997.

He leaves behind 11 children, 42 grandchildren, 18 great-grand children and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

When the Venezuelan icon was crowned with the title, the Guinness World Records said a glass of Colombian liquor was one of his many secrets to longevity.

“His secret for a long life is to ‘work hard, rest on holidays, go to bed early, drink a glass of aguardiente every day, love God, and always carry him in your heart.”

“Besides agriculture, one of Juan’s most important passions is to build a strong relationship with God and his family. He is grateful for his life, as well as the food and the people that surround him.”

GWR editor-in-chief Craig Glenday said it was an honour to recognise the first authenticated Venezuelan male supercentenarian (someone who had reached 110-years-old).

“Not only was Sr Perez Mora his country’s oldest citizen and the first South American recognised by GWR as the oldest living man, he is now history’s fourth oldest male whose age has been officially ratified,” Mr Glenday said.

“How remarkable to think that we’ve just said goodbye to a man born before Louis Bleriot flew across the English Channel!”

The Guinness World Records believes 112-year-old Gisaburo Sonobe from Japan is next in line to be deemed the oldest living man.