Englishman John Alfred Tinniswood, 111, has been confirmed as the new holder of the title of the world’s oldest man by Guinness World Records. It follows the death of the Venezuelan record-holder, Juan Vicente Pérez, this month at the age of 114. Gisaburo Sonobe from Japan, who was next longest-lived, died March 31 at 112.
Tinniswood was presented with a certificate by Guinness World Records on Thursday at the care home where he lives in Southport, northwest England.
Born in Liverpool on Aug. 26, 1912 — just a few months after the sinking of the Titanic — Tinniswood lived through two world wars, serving in the British Army Pay Corps in World War II.
The retired accountant and great-grandfather said moderation was the secret to his healthy life. He never smokes, rarely drinks, and follows no special diet, apart from a fish and chip supper once a week.
“If you drink too much or you eat too much or you walk too much — if you do too much of anything — you’re going to suffer eventually,” Tinniswood told Guinness World Records.
But ultimately, he said, “it’s pure luck. You either live long or you live short, and you can’t do much about it.”
The world’s oldest woman, and oldest living person, is 117-year-old Maria Branyas Morera of Spain.
The Horn editorial team