Brazilian-born João Marinho Neto marked his 113th birthday on Sunday, October 5, surrounded by family and friends who threw him a big celebration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Guinness World Records (@guinnessworldrecords) João became the world’s oldest living man last November after the death of Britain’s John Tinniswood at 112. At the time, João was 112 years and 52 days old, according to LongeviQuest, which tracks the ages of the world’s oldest people. Born on October 5, 1912, in Maranguape, Ceará, Brazil, João grew up in a farming family. When his parents moved to the countryside of Apuiarés, he joined them in the fields at just four years old, helping to care for cattle and harvest fruit. He married Josefa Albano dos Santos (1920–1994), and the two had four children — Antônio, José, Fátima, and Vanda. Later, with his partner Antonia Rodrigues Moura, he welcomed three more: Vinícius, Jarbas, and Conceição. Today, João’s family tree spans six living children, 22 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. As of October 1, he officially became the 26th oldest man in recorded history. Those who know him say João keeps his humor sharp and his pride intact. “There are no men older than me, just women,” he likes to remind people, according to LongeviQuest experts. He even sent birthday wishes to Ethel Caterham, the world’s oldest woman from the U.K., who is about three years older than he is. His family helped him mark the moment with a photo, showing that even after 113 years, João’s joy for life hasn’t dimmed one bit.
