The world’s oldest man has spoken out and given his advice on how to live to a ripe old age. John Tinniswood, from Liverpool in the UK, was born the year the Titanic sank and is now 112 years old. Mr. Tinniswood lives in a retirement home, where staff describe him as a “well mannered, lovely gentleman.” After reaching the landmark age, he told the Guinness Book of Records that he feels no different, lives by the same rule he always has, and takes everything in his stride while trying never to worry.
When asked why he believes he has lived so long, Tinniswood said he wasn’t entirely sure, but as a young man, he exercised a lot and walked almost everywhere he needed to go. He did not follow a particular diet, with one exception – every Friday evening, he ate the British favorite – fish and chips.
While Mr. Tinniswood is now the world’s oldest man, the world’s oldest person is Tomiko Itooka of Japan, who is 116 years old. Ms. Itooka was born in Osaka in 1908, has maintained a highly active life, and indulged her love of mountain climbing well into her old age. At age 100, she climbed the steps of Japan’s Ashiya Shrine without assistance, but by her 116th birthday, she had taken to using a wheelchair to give her legs a rest. When Guinness World Records informed her that she was the world’s oldest living person, she said, “Thank you.”
The title of world’s longest living person ever recorded goes to French born Jeanne Calment, who died in August 1997 at the age of 122. Born in 1875, Calment met the famous Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh (and said he was more interested in drinking than painting), smoked until she was 117, described herself as “in love with wine,” and partly attributed her longevity to her ability to laugh at life and herself. “Always keep your smile. That’s how I explain my long life,” she said. The Frenchwoman added, “If you can’t change something, don’t worry about it.”
