The world’s oldest man, who passed away this week in Venezuela, credited his long life in part to his strong Catholic faith and devotion to God. Juan Vicente Pérez Mora, aged 114, died on Tuesday in Táchira, Venezuela, just a few weeks before his 115th birthday, according to an announcement by Freddy Bernal, the governor of Táchira.
Guinness World Records confirmed Mora as the world’s oldest man on February 4, 2022, when he was 112 years and 253 days old. He was born on May 27, 1909, in El Cobre, Táchira, Venezuela, the ninth child out of 10. Mora received only five months of formal education at the age of 10 due to his teacher falling ill. However, he taught himself to read and write using a book she had given him, as noted by Guinness.
Mora, who worked in agriculture and served as a sheriff in Caricuena from 1948 to 1958, helped settle land and family disputes. He was married to Ediofina del Rosario García until her passing in 1997 after 60 years of marriage. Together, they had six sons and five daughters. Family was paramount to Mora, who took pride in having 42 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
“My Uncle Vicente transmits a lot of peace, tranquility and radiates a lot of joy,” nephew Freddy Abreu told the Spanish-language outlet of the Catholic News Agency in 2022. “He’s a person who has a lot to give. He enjoys the simple things in life and is very grateful to God.”
Mora, who devoutly prayed the rosary twice daily, shared with Guinness World Records in 2022 that the key to his longevity was to “work hard, rest on holidays, go to bed early, drink a glass of aguardiente [a sugar-based liquor] every day, love God, and always carry Him in your heart.” He also expressed a desire to be remembered “as a hardworking man, faithful to his wife and his religion.”
After his passing, tributes to Mora flooded in from political leaders in Venezuela. “Our dear Juan Vicente Pérez Mora, today with deep sadness and pain we say goodbye to you, to that archetype of a man from Táchira, humble, hardworking, peaceful, enthusiastic about family and tradition,” tweeted Gov. Bernal. “Together with my wife and children we had the pleasure and the pride of meeting him and sharing with his loved ones,” Bernal added. “My old Don Vicente, we will always remember him for his optimism in life, for faith, hope, and that deep love for our state of Táchira.”
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro echoed Bernal’s feelings. “Juan Vicente Pérez Mora has transcended into eternity at 114 years old,” Maduro posted on X. “I send my hugs and condolences to his family and to all the people of El Cobre, Táchira state. May God receive him in his holy glory.”
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