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 begun an official verification process to have his age recognized internationally. If his age is officially authenticated, a new record could be set for the oldest living person in the world.

On August 4 (local time), local media outlet Q Costa Rica and Argentina's Infobae reported that Jose Flores, who lives near Sardinal in the Carrillo area of Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica, celebrated his 119th birthday on July 11. According to the Costa Rican Civil Registry, he was born in Cañas, Guanacaste Province, on July 11, 1907. Reports indicate that a Catholic Church baptismal record from 1907 has also been secured.

The family of Flores and local organizations are compiling relevant documentation with the help of Spanish gerontology researcher Jose Antonio Rabadan. These documents will be submitted to the Gerontology Research Group (GRG), which investigates and verifies individuals over 110 years old, to confirm his age. Once verification is complete, there are also plans to apply for a Guinness World Record listing.

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, Guinness World Records lists Ethel Caterham of the United Kingdom as the oldest living person. Born on August 21, 1909, Caterham’s age was verified at 116 years and 223 days. If Flores’s age is officially recognized, it would change the situation considerably. He would be about three years older than the current official record holder, and there would be only a little more than a three-year difference from the longest officially documented lifespan in history—Jeanne Calment of France, who reached 122 years and 164 days.

Meanwhile, Flores’s lifestyle, which has enabled him to maintain his health thus far, is also drawing attention. Flores worked on a farm as a child and has spent his entire life engaged in manual labor, including work on a banana plantation. While he now uses a walker, he still lives with his family, continuing to eat meals and go about his daily routines. He is known to eat a traditional breakfast every morning, consisting of “gallo pinto” (a dish of rice and beans), fresh cheese, and fried plantains.

The area where Flores lives is adjacent to the Nicoya Peninsula, internationally recognized as a region of exceptional longevity. The Nicoya Peninsula is one of the world’s five “Blue Zones,” known for their high concentrations of centenarians, along with Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Ikaria (Greece), and Loma Linda (United States).

However, experts emphasize that neither specific lifestyle choices nor a particular place of residence alone can fully explain his longevity. Local researchers cite a combination of genetic factors, traditional dietary habits, consistent physical activity, and strong relationships with family and the local community as possible contributing factors to long life.

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