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João Marinho Neto from Brazil has become the new Guinness World Record holder as the oldest man in the world. He succeeded the British John Tiniswood, who passed away on November 25, 2024, at the same age.

According to the official website of the Guinness Book of Records, João Marinho is currently 112 years and 55 days old. He was born in Maranguapé, Ceará, Brazil, on October 5, 1912, and was previously recognized as the oldest person in Brazil and Latin America. The record holder is also the last living man born in 1912.

João was born into a family of farmers and moved with his parents to rural Apuíares. When he was four years old, he helped his father in the fields. His work on the farm included helping to care for the cattle and picking fruit from the trees. Later, the Brazilian married Josefa Albano dos Santos (1920-1994), and they had four children – Antonio, José, Fatima, and Wanda.

João followed in his father’s footsteps, cultivating the land his then-wife inherited in Fazenda Massape to grow corn and beans. He also raised cattle, goats, pigs, and chickens. Later, he had three more children – Vinicius, Jarbas, and Conceição – with his second wife, Antonia Rodrigues Moura. Currently, Marinho has six living children, 22 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Joao says the secret to his longevity is that he is surrounded by good people and his family is always there for him. The record holder has also faced difficulties in his life, having survived several severe droughts that hit his region over the years. However, he worked hard to build a financially stable life, accumulating many assets, including land and houses.