'World's oldest man born before 1900' dies just a week before birthday

A man who claimed to be the oldest in the world - and who loved to drink and ride his horses - has died.

Jose Paulino Gomes was old enough to have lived through both World Wars and was reportedly born when Queen Victoria was still on the throne.

Jose passed away at his home in Corrego do Cafe on 28 July.

He was believed to have been born on 4 August 1895, according to his 1917 marriage certificate, which means that he lived on until the age of 127.

Newsflash

And if his 1917 marriage certificate is indeed accurate, this would mean that Jose would have been the oldest known person in the world.

Spain's Maria Branyas Morera, who is 115, is the officially the current record holder for oldest living person, according to the Guinness World Records, while Juan Vicente Perez Mora, 114, is officially the oldest living man.

Jose's granddaughter Eliane Ferreira told local media: "Here in the countryside, people are usually registered when they are older.

"There are several cases with incorrect documentation.

"But his documentation showed he was younger than he actually was.

"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.

"He definitely was over 100 years old, at least 110.

"Now we need to know how it will be recorded on the death certificate."

Newsflash

Spending most of his life as an animal tamer, Jose leaves behind seven children, 25 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Eliane added: "He was very simple, very humble.

"His uniqueness was that he didn't like anything industrialised, only things from the countryside, natural.

"He raised chickens, pigs...his food was all from here, had to be grown or raised here.

"And he always liked to have a little drink."

Another granddaughter, Fabiola Oliveira, also told local media: "Four years ago, he stopped riding horses.

"For about a month, he was in bed.

"He will leave behind many stories and memories for all of us."

Jose's cause of death was multiple organ failure, likely due to his old age, his family have said.

He was laid to rest at the Corrego dos Fialhos Cemetery in Pedra Bonita on 29 July.