Trigger warning: This article contains reference to death
Juan Vicente Pérez Mora, famously known as the oldest living man in the world, breathed his last weeks before he was expected to celebrate his 115th birthday. Freddy Bernal, the governor of Tachira state in Venezuela, where Pérez hailed from, confirmed this sorrowful news according to Guinness World Records.
Juan Pérez’s journey
Born on May 27, 1909, Juan Vicente Pérez Mora was born as the ninth child of ten in a family consisting of Eutiquio del Rosario Pérez Mora and Edelmira Mora. His humility, hard work, and respect for tradition transcend the borders through which his legacy is marked.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Freddy Bernal expressed condolences over Perez's demise while recalling Perez’s optimistic outlook on life and strong attachment to Tachira.
President Nicolas Maduro also paid tribute to Perez, acknowledging that he had gone into eternity and passing condolences to his family as well as El Cobre Community in Táchira state.
Pérez’s family and wisdom
Pérez’s life symbolized strength and familial commitment. He was a hardworking man who started as a farmhand at just five years old.
His marriage lasted sixty years with Ediofina del Rosario García, with whom he had eleven children, this resulted in forty-two grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and twelve great-great-grandchildren.
For Perez, age was no obstacle to history-making. In 2019, he became Venezuela's first male supercentenarian at 110, giving simple yet deep advice for a long life, such as hard labor, sleeping early and waking up early, drinking an aguardiente every day, and strongly believing in God.
Perez’s devotion to prayer, immovably rigid work ethic, and unwavering commitment to his family and faith touched the lives of those who knew him.
As he enters into history books, Juan Vicente Pérez Mora will always be remembered as an eternal light of sagacity, fortitude, and everlasting affection.