World’s oldest man, 114, dies just weeks before his birthday

Juan Vicente Perez, who held the title of the world’s oldest man, has died just weeks shy of his 115th birthday.

According to Guinness World Records, the news was confirmed by Freddy Bernal, governor of Tachira in Perez’s home country of Venezuela.

Mr. Perez was born on May 27, 1909. Mr. Perez was the ninth child of 10 children born to Eutichio del Rosario Perez Mora and Edelmira Mora, and would have celebrated his 113th birthday in 2022, the newspaper reported. Ta.

Bernal shared several messages and photos on X (formerly known as Twitter) shared his condolences and paid tribute to him on Tuesday, April 2nd.

“Dear Juan Vicente Pérez Mora, today, with deep sadness and pain, we say goodbye to you. Humble, hardworking, peaceful and passionate about family and tradition, a typical Tachira native. A man,” he wrote in a tweet. It was translated from Spanish to English by Guinness.

The governor said his wife and children were previously “delighted and proud to have met him.”

“My old Don Vicente, we will always remember his optimism in life, his faith, his hope and his deep love for our state of Tachira,” Bernal continued.

Never miss a news. Sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to human interest stories.

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

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro also paid his respects.

“Juan Vicente Pérez Mora passed into eternity at the age of 114. We send hugs and condolences to his family and all the people of El Cobre, Tachira. May God receive him in holy glory. Best wishes,” President Maduro wrote on social media. .

According to CBS News, Perez started farming at just 5 years old.

He and Ediofina del Rosario García had 11 children (6 sons and 5 daughters). According to CBS News, her former couple were married for 60 years until her death.

Additionally, Perez had 42 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

He will celebrate his 110th birthday in 2019, making him Venezuela’s first male supercentenarian, Guinness previously reported.

At the time, Perez’s advice for living a long life was to “work hard, take holidays off, go to bed early, drink a glass of Aguardiente every day, love God, and always keep Him in your heart.” Told.

Perez, who was known to pray at least twice a day, said he wanted to be remembered as a hard-working man who was faithful to his wife and his religion.