John Tinniswood | |
---|---|
Born | John Alfred Tinniswood 26 August 1912 (age 111 years, 266 days) Liverpool, England |
Known for | World's oldest living man (since 2 April 2024) |
Spouse |
Blodwen Roberts
(m. 1942; died 1986) |
Children | 1 |
John Alfred Tinniswood (born 26 August 1912) is a British supercentenarian who, at the age of 111 years, 266 days, has been the world's oldest verified living man since the death of Juan Vicente Pérez of Venezuela[a] on 2 April 2024.[1][2]
John Alfred Tinniswood was born on 26 August 1912 in Liverpool, England.[3][2] During World War II, he could not enlist as a soldier due to his poor eyesight, and as a result, he held an administrative role within the Royal Army Pay Corps as an accountant and auditor.[4] He was also involved in logistical tasks, such as locating stranded soldiers and organising food supplies.[4] He met his future wife, Blodwen (née Roberts), at a dance during the war;[5] they married in 1942 and their only child, Susan, was born the following year.[2][6] Tinniswood went on to work as an accountant for Royal Mail and Shell-Mex and BP before retiring in 1972.[2][4][3] Blodwen died from lung cancer in 1986, after 44 years of marriage.[7][6][1]
In his later years, Tinniswood moved to a care home in Southport, Merseyside.[5] His 110th birthday in August 2022 was accompanied by a live music performance at his residence, and he also received a clock paying tribute to Liverpool F.C., of which Tinniswood is an avid fan.[8] As of April 2024, he has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.[4]
Tinniswood became the oldest living British man on 25 September 2020, upon the death of 108-year-old Harry Fransman.[5][3][9] In interviews given on his 109th and 111th birthdays, he stated that the key to his longevity was "moderation".[10][11] After being issued a certificate by Guinness World Records for being the world's oldest man he also stated that his longevity was "pure luck" and that "You either live long or you live short, and you can’t do much about it".[12][13]
He became the oldest living man in Europe on 7 January 2024, upon the death of 111-year-old André Ludwig of France.[9] On 2 April 2024, upon the death of 114-year-old Juan Vicente Pérez of Venezuela,[14][a] he became the oldest validated living man in the world and received recognition from Guinness World Records two days later.[2][3] Due to his administrative and logistical role during the Second World War, he was also said to be "the world's oldest surviving male World War II veteran."[4][15]