118-Year-Old Brazilian Farmer Breaks Record as the World Oldest Man

A 118-year-old Brazilian farmer, Luís Carlos dos Santos, popularly known as “Seu Luizinho,” has celebrated his birthday on February 15 after being officially recognized by the Brazilian Book of Records.

According to reports, the organization verified his age after learning about him through social media. Officials later contacted the care home where he resides in Elói Mendes and reviewed documents confirming his date of birth.

Despite this recognition, global records still differ. As of late 2025, the oldest living person verified by Guinness World Records is Ethel Caterham, who turned 116 in August 2025. Meanwhile, the oldest living man officially recorded is João Marinho Neto, who turned 113 in October 2025.

Seu Luizinho was reportedly born in 1908 and lived a simple rural life, working as a labourer in Três Pontas.

Described as a reserved individual, he never married and had no children. In 1971, he moved to the São Vicente de Paulo care home, where he has remained ever since and is now its longest-serving resident.

Staff at the facility describe him as calm, private, and peaceful. Although he has lost the ability to speak, he is still able to understand others and communicates through gestures and head movements.

Despite his age, he maintains a level of independence. He eats on his own, enjoys his daily cup of coffee, and moves around the home with notable agility.

He is also known for some unique habits, such as picking up objects from the floor, taking them to his room, and arranging them carefully near his bed before resting upright against the wall.

One of his carers, José Edmilson, shared: “He doesn’t like getting help. He prefers helping everyone else.”

Remarkably, Seu Luizinho reportedly takes no regular medication aside from daily vitamins and has not experienced any major illness during his time at the care home—even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.