World's Oldest Men Shared Birthday Milestone

João Marinho Neto and Ken Weeks exchanged greetings to celebrate their respective 114th and 113th birthdays.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Romance

Bold vector editorial illustration of two glass hourglasses resting on a wooden table, symbolizing the quiet passage of long lives.
João Marinho Neto of Brazil and Ken Weeks of Australia marked a shared birthday milestone on October 5, 2026, celebrating their status as the world's oldest living men. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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João Marinho Neto and Ken Weeks, recognized as the two oldest living men, marked a shared birthday milestone on October 5, 2026. The two men, who live in Brazil and Australia respectively, exchanged photos holding celebratory cards to acknowledge the occasion.

Why it matters

The exchange between the world's two oldest men highlights the rare longevity milestones achieved by both individuals. Their shared birthday offers a unique connection between the oldest verified men globally, bringing attention to extreme human longevity.

João Marinho Neto is the 10th oldest person in the world and one of only nine men in history to reach age 114. Ethel Caterham remains the world's oldest woman at 117 years old.

The players

João Marinho Neto

He is the oldest living man in the world and the oldest Brazilian man in history.

Ken Weeks

He is an Australian man currently recognized as the second oldest living man in the world.

LongeviQuest

This organization specializes in the validation of supercentenarian data and longevity research.

Guinness World Records

It is a globally recognized reference book that documents records of human achievements and the natural world.

Ethel Caterham

She is the world's oldest living woman at 117 years of age.

The details

Neto and Weeks exchanged photographic greetings as part of their birthday celebrations, having been confirmed as the world's two oldest living men by LongeviQuest and Guinness World Records. Neto, who has held the title of oldest living man since November 2024, is also recognized as the oldest Brazilian man in history.

Timeline

  1. November 2024: Neto became the world's oldest living man.

  2. October 5, 2026: Neto turned 114 and Weeks turned 113.

Culture Shift

This interaction underscores a growing global fascination with extreme longevity and the demographic shift toward an aging population. It follows the pattern set by the validated longevity records maintained by the Gerontology Research Group, providing an update on the current status of the oldest living individuals.

For the general public, this milestone highlights the increasing possibilities for human longevity in the modern era. While individual routines remain personal, the recognition of these ages provides a benchmark for scientific research into the factors contributing to extreme human lifespan.

The takeaway

Reaching such advanced ages remains an extraordinary rarity that continues to challenge current understanding of human biological limits. Observing these milestones reminds us of the profound changes in life expectancy witnessed over the past century.

Further reading

Learn more about connections and human milestones in our Romance section.

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Do you consider reaching 110 years of age a positive goal for the average person?