Juan Vicente Pérez Mora, a Venezuelan man whose life spanned more than a century, passed away in the western Andean state of Táchira, near the Colombian border, a little under two months before his 115th birthday. He held the Guinness World Record for the world’s oldest living man from May 2022 until his death, a title he bore with quiet dignity while living the simple, rural life he loved in his homeland.
News of his death was confirmed by the Governor of Táchira, a political figure aligned with the ruling party, who shared the notice on social media to honor a man who became a symbol of longevity for many in Venezuela and beyond. The family did not publicly reveal the cause of death, choosing instead to reflect on the long life Pérez Mora led and the history he witnessed across nearly 115 years. His passing marks the end of an era for a man who lived through significant moments in his country’s modern history and who remained a rooted figure in his community until the end.
Born on May 27, 1909, Pérez Mora spent his early years in a rural setting and devoted more than five decades to farming, a career that grounded him in the rhythms of the land and the seasons. In the latter years of his life, he received widespread recognition for his age, including the Guinness World Records confirmation and local ceremonies that celebrated a life marked by perseverance and resilience. Family members described his final years as a sequence of heartfelt tributes, Catholic services, and family gatherings held at his residence in the Andean highlands, where he lived with relatives under attentive medical care.
Affectionately known as “Uncle Juan” by many who knew him, the centenarian’s life story was widely publicized, and his incredible longevity attracted interest from national leaders and ordinary citizens alike. He was recognized as the oldest man in the world by Guinness in May 2022, a milestone documented by international news agencies and corroborated by his family from the time it became public. In the weeks leading up to his death, messages of congratulations and remembrance came from various corners of the country, reinforcing the sense that Pérez Mora’s life had become a shared piece of national memory and pride.
The family’s accounts and local media coverage indicate that the person who became a global symbol of longevity lived a full, active life well into his late years. Surrounded by loved ones and supported by a team of healthcare professionals, he continued to celebrate birthdays and milestones with small, meaningful ceremonies, including religious observances and traditional meals that reflected his cultural roots. His residence, nestled in a highland environment, provided a backdrop for the life he built—one that connected the intimate rituals of family and faith with a public recognition that extended beyond his village. His story remained a testament to endurance, faith, and the quiet dignity of a life lived with purpose.