Jose Paulino Gomes, purported to be the world’s oldest living man, died at the age of 127. A survivor of both World Wars and three global pandemics, Gomes passed away at his home in Pedra Bonita, a small town in Minas Gerais, Brazil. He was just seven days short of turning 128.
According to media reports, the centenarian used to work as an animal tamer and was still riding horses up until four years ago.
According to a New York Post report, he died on Friday of organ failure, possibly because of his advanced age. He was laid to rest Saturday at the Corrego dos Fialhos Cemetery in his hometown.
As per Gomes’ 1917 marriage certificate, the Post stated, he was born on August 4, 1895. This would also mean he was born before the death of Queen Victoria of England.
However, while the registry office confirmed he was born before the 1900s, his family was not too sure of his age.
“There is a lady nearby who is 98 years old. She says she knew him when he was just a boy. That’s when we became curious to confirm his age and looked up the registry office to find out what was correct,” Gomes’ granddaughter Eliane Ferreira, told local media.
She, however, added that he was definitely over 110 years of age.
Describing Gomes, Ferreira told the Post that he only liked things from the countryside, all natural. Even his food -- chicken, pigs, vegetables were all from the farm. "He always liked to have a little drink," she added.
Meanwhile, the Guinness World Records identifies 116-year-old María Branyas Morera of Spain as the world’s oldest living person. She was born on March 4, 1907.
Gomes leaves behind seven children, 25 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren. He was a widower.
