As you might imagine, it is an honor that changes hands often. The official newly dubbed Guinness Book of World Records “World’s Oldest Man” – 111-year-old John Alfred Tinniswood of the UK shares his secrets for a long life.
Tinniswood’s confirmation by the folks at Guinness follows the death of the previous record-holder, Venezuelan Juan Vicente Pérez, who passed this month at the age of 114. Gisaburo Sonobe from Japan, who was next longest-lived, died just before that on March 31 at 112, leaving the title to Tinniswood.
Tinniswood was presented with a certificate by Guinness World Records on Thursday, April 4, at the care home where he lives in Southport, northwest England.
Born in Liverpool on August 26, 1912, 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 key to a 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.”
Not only has Tinniswood fought in and survived two World Wars, he has lived through the great depression, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the creation of television, computers, and smartphones, and saw five monarchs in his time (King George V, King Edward VIII, King George IV, Queen Elizabeth II, and King Charles III).
The world’s oldest woman, and currently the “official” oldest living person, is 117-year-old Maria Branyas Morera of Spain.