Salustiano Sanchez Blazquez, Oldest Living Man, Dies At 112

Salustiano Sanchez Blazquez, holder of the Guinness World Record title of Oldest living man, died at the age of 112.

Blazquez was awarded the title of Oldest Living Man on July 23 after the death of Jiroemon Kimura, who died at the age of 116. Blazquez carried the title alongside Misao Okawa, a Japanese woman who, at 115-years-old, is on record as the Oldest Living Woman (and person).

Blazquez was born in Spain on June 8, 1901, coming to the United States via Ellis Island in 1920. Upon his arrival, Blazquez transitioned from being a Spanish musician to a coal miner in Kentucky and eventually moved to N.Y., where he lived for the rest of his life. He is survived by his son, John, 76 and his daughter Irene, 69.

“Salustiano Sanchez may only have held the Oldest Living Man title for a relatively short time in his long life, but it was an achievement which reflects the enormity of his life. Born in 1901 in Spain, Mr. Sanchez emigrated to America in 1920 and went on to make his life in New York City,” said Guinness World Records editor-in-chief, Craig Glenday.

According to Guinness World Records, Blazquez enjoyed gardening and cross word puzzles and credited his long life to his habit of eating one banana a day.

– Olivia Truffaut-Wong