World's oldest man reveals secret to long life after celebrating his 113th birthday

The world's oldest man gave a wholesome explanation when speaking about how he's been able to live for so long

João Marinho Neto celebrated his 113th birthday yesterday (5 October), with a party being thrown in his honour by his loved ones.

The Brazilian was confirmed as the world's oldest man in November 2024, after the UK's John Tinniswood died at age 112.

Neto was the same age at the time, gaining the title as he became the last surviving man to be born in 1912.

Born into a family of farmers in a rural area of Maranguape, Ceará, Brazil, he would move to a rural area of the South American nation in Apuiarés with his parents.

By the age of four, he was already working in the fields with his father, caring for the cattle and being responsible for harvesting fruits.

Neto would go on to celebrate three more birthdays after this one (Guinness World Records)

Neto was married to Josefa Albano dos Santos. The couple had four children together, Antônio, José, Fátima, and Vanda.

He would then have three more children with partner Antonia Rodrigues Moura - Vinícius, Jarbas, and Conceição.

The dad now has six living children, as well as 22 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

When Neto was asked about the secret to living a long life, he said that it was all about surrounding yourself with good people and keeping your loved ones close.

This month, he became the 26th oldest man in human history, while holding the Guinness World Record for the oldest man on Earth.

He told LongeviQuest, who are responsible for keeping a database tracking the world’s oldest residents: “There are no men older than me, just women!”

While he has no doubt got the secrets to a long life, along with a stroke of life, he's still three years off the oldest man to ever live - Jiroemon Kimura from Japan.

He lived from 1897 to 2013, passing away at 116 years and 54 days old.

Neto turned 113, almost a year after gaining the title as world's oldest man (Guinness World Records)

Neto also recently wished happy birthday to the world's oldest woman, Ethel Caterham, even posing with a special picture of the Brit, which was made by his family.

Recalling the moment, his granddaughter Valéria said that he was excited about reaching out to her, saying: “Ethel, Happy Birthday 116!”

This in itself was a slice of history, as it was the first known communication between the world’s oldest man and world’s oldest woman while both held the official titles.