João Marinho Neto
Brazilian supercentenarian (born 1912)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
João Marinho Neto (born 5 October 1912) is a Brazilian supercentenarian who, at the age of 113 years, 237 days, has been the world's oldest verified living man since the death of John Tinniswood (of the United Kingdom).[1]
(age 113 years, 237 days)
- World's oldest living man (since 25 November 2024)
- Oldest verified Brazilian man ever
Antonia Rodrigues Moura
João Marinho Neto | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 October 1912 (age 113 years, 237 days) |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Known for |
|
| Spouse(s) |
Josefa Albano dos Santos
(died 1994)Antonia Rodrigues Moura |
| Children | 7 |
Biography
João Marinho Neto was born in Maranguape, Ceará, on 5 October 1912 to a farming family. While in his infancy, his family moved to Apuiarés in Ceara.[2] By age 4, he began working in the fields caring for cattle and harvesting fruits[3] from trees of Juazeiro.[4] Marinho Neto was married to Josefa Albano dos Santos (1920–1994), with whom he had four children: Antônio, José, Fátima, and Vanda.[2]
His wife inherited land in Fazenda Massapê ("Massapê Farm", translated in English), where he farmed corn and beans. He also raised livestock;[1] chickens, cattle, goats and pigs.[4] Later, he had three more sons, Vinícius, Jarbas, and Conceiçao, with Antonia Rodrigues Moura.[2] In spite of difficulties from severe droughts in the region, he was able to create a stable livelihood.[5] As of November 2024, Marinho Neto had six living children, 22 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.[1] Marinho Neto lives in a nursing home which was necessary because he developed vision problems.[6]
On 21 August 2025, Marinho Neto sent a congratulatory message to Ethel Caterham (born 21 August 1909), the world's oldest living person, on her 116th birthday, marking the first ever documented communication between the oldest man and oldest woman at any given time.[7]
On 9 January 2026, Marinho Neto sent a congratulatory message to Yolanda Beltrão de Azevedo (born 13 January 1911), the oldest living person in Brazil, four days before her 115th birthday.[8]
Marinho Neto attributes his longevity to having loved ones around him and ensuring he spent his life surrounded by good people.[9] In 2024, a nurse at the nursing home where Marinho Neto lives stated that he has no comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes, and also has no history of stroke or cancer.[10]