The oldest man in the world celebrated his 112th birthday on Monday. John Alfred Tinniswood was born on August 26, 1912 in Liverpool, England. This means that today is his 112th birthday!
Tinniswood is currently the world’s oldest living man. The Englishman claimed the title in April following the death of Juan Vicente Pérez of Venezuela, who was 114 when he died.
The oldest man in the world has lived through both world wars
He has lived under an astounding 24 different UK prime ministers, which shows what an unbelievably long life he has had thus far.
Tinniswood was born the same year the Titanic sank and has lived through both world wars, something not many people who are still alive can claim.
During World War II, he proudly served in an administrative role with the Royal Army Pay Corps. He was placed at this post due to poor eyesight, which meant he could not fight for Britain and the allies at the forefront of the battle.
His responsibilities included accounting, auditing, and logistical tasks such as locating stranded soldiers and organizing food supplies.
This makes Tinniswood the world’s oldest surviving male World War II veteran, the number of whom is shrinking significantly.
The BBC quoted him as saying that “you either live long or you live short and you can’t do much about it.”
The simplicity of this realization shows that apart from trying to eat healthy and exercise, there is not much one can do to have a guaranteed long life. “Why I’ve lived that long, I have no idea at all,” Tinniswood said.
Greece’s oldest woman passed away recently
The oldest woman in Greece was Irini Baroulakis, who died at the age of 119 earlier this year.
Baroulakis, who lived in Paidochori in the municipality of Apokoronas in Chania, passed away peacefully in May, and the sad news of her passing was announced to the world by the local municipality.
The Municipality of Apokoronas in its announcement stated in May that the local community “respectfully bid farewell to the oldest person in Greece, Irini Baroulakis, who passed away at the age of 119 years.”
The local council of Crete mentioned how the woman ”was born, raised a family, and lived throughout her life in our municipality, in Paidochori Apokoronas,” adding that ”her way of life and her virtues are models for us and an example to follow.”
Baroulakis became well-known in Greece a few months before her passing. In January 2024, it became known that the woman underwent surgery at the Hospital of Chania. The operation then went well despite her incredibly advanced age, and she had managed to return home to her children and grandchildren.