The Guinness World Record confirmed Emilio Flores Marquez from Puerto Rico as the oldest living person in the world with an age of 112 years and 326 days.
This breaks the previous record held by Romania’s Dumitru Comănescu, who died at 111 years, 219 days.
Marquez was born on August 8, 1908, in Carolina, Puerto Rico.
According to the Guinness World Records website, Marquez is the second oldest of 11 children born to Alberto Flores Melendez and Margarita Márquez-Garcia.
He was the first-born son who helped on the family farm and assisted in taking care of his nine surviving siblings. ”I scrubbed, I took care of the boys, I did everything,” he said.
Marquez—known affectionately as “Don Millo”—was married for 75 years to Andrea Perez until she died in 2010.
The two had four children, two of whom are still alive and well. He currently lives with the two children, Tirsa and “Millito,” who take care of him in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. He also has five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Marquez had also undergone surgery at 101 to implant a pacemaker. He has lost nearly all of his hearing but remains in good health.
Marquez believes an abundance of love and a lack of anger is key to a happy life.
“My father raised me with love, loving everyone. He always told me and my siblings to do good, to share everything with others.”
Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday said, “It’s always an honor to celebrate these remarkable human beings. I am thrilled to feature Sr. Márquez—born, interestingly, on the 8th day of the 8th month in the 8th year of the 20th century!—and bring his fascinating story to the wider public,” Glenday said. Comănescu—who briefly held the record—died before Guinness went to press, Glenday noted.
Aziah Kamari Aziah Kamari Pless is a writer and content creator with 5+ years of experience in freelance writer, editor and PR roles. A graduate of Florida State University, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English: Editing, Writing and Media. She incorporates her interests in music, fashion, media and entertainment to create versatile and compelling content.