119-Year-Old Man Seeks Verification as World's Oldest Person... What's the Secret to His Longevity?

Costa Rican Man Documented as Born in July 1907
Could Break the Record for Oldest Living Person If Verified

A 119-year-old man from Costa Rica has entered a verification process to have his age internationally recognized. If officially certified, it is expected that a new record will be set for the oldest living person in the world.

On August 4 local time, local media outlet Q Costa Rica and Argentine outlet Infobae reported that Jose Flores, who lives near Sardinal in Carrillo, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica, celebrated his 119th birthday on July 11. The Costa Rican civil registry states that he was born on July 11, 1907, in Cañas, Guanacaste. It is also reported that a baptismal record from the Catholic Church dating back to 1907 has been secured.

Flores's family and local organizations are compiling the relevant documents with the help of Spanish gerontology researcher Jose Antonio Rabadan. This documentation will be submitted to the Gerontology Research Group (GRG), which investigates and verifies supercentenarians aged 110 years or older, to confirm the authenticity of his age. After verification is completed, they plan to seek entry into the Guinness World Records.

Jose Flores (left), who is challenging the current world record for the oldest living person, and Yorleny Leon, Minister of Human Development and Social Integration of Costa Rica. Photo from Yorleny Leon's Instagram.

As of April 2026, the Guinness World Records lists Ethel Caterham of the United Kingdom as the oldest living person. Born on August 21, 1909, Caterham was verified at the age of 116 years and 223 days. If Flores's age is officially recognized, the situation will change. Not only is he about three years older than the current official record holder, but he is also just over three years shy of the historical record for the longest-lived person, held by Jeanne Calment of France at 122 years and 164 days.

Meanwhile, there is also interest in the lifestyle that has enabled him to maintain his health up to now. Flores worked in agriculture from childhood, and later in his life he worked on banana plantations, dedicating his entire life to manual labor. Although he currently uses a walker, he still lives with his family and continues to share meals and daily life with them. He is said to eat a traditional breakfast every morning consisting of “gallo pinto” (a mix of rice and beans), fresh cheese, and fried plantains.

The area where Flores lives is adjacent to the Nicoya Peninsula, a region known globally for its longevity. The Nicoya Peninsula is considered one of the world’s five major “Blue Zones,” alongside Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Ikaria (Greece), and Loma Linda (United States), where many long-lived individuals reside.

However, experts emphasize that no single lifestyle habit or place of residence can fully explain his longevity. Local researchers point to a combination of factors, including genetic influences, traditional diet, consistent physical activity, and relationships with family and the local community, as contributing to his long life.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.