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Discover the journey of Luiz Carlos dos Santos, a native of Minas Gerais born in 1908 who has lived for 55 years in an institution in Elói Mendes.
A rare story of longevity has gained prominence in Minas Gerais. Luiz Carlos dos Santos, known as Mr. Luizinho, turned 118 years old and was recognized by RankBrasil as the longest-living man in Brazil alive.
A resident of Elói Mendes, in the south of Minas Gerais, the elderly man was born on February 15, 1908. Since 1971, he has lived at the São Vicente de Paulo Home, where he maintains a simple, peaceful routine marked by independence.
According to RankBrasil, the recognition occurred after a documentary analysis conducted with old registry office records. The verification officially confirmed the birth date presented by the institution.
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The age draws attention given the national reality. According to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, the life expectancy in Brazil reached 76.6 years in 2024.
Meet the 118-year-old Brazilian
Mr. Luizinho’s story began to gain attention after a social media post mentioned his advanced age.
The content came to the attention of RankBrasil, the organization responsible for recognizing national records. Subsequently, representatives of the entity contacted the São Vicente de Paulo Home and requested supporting documents.
Institution employees searched for old records at the registry office. After verifying the information, Luizinho’s birth on February 15, 1908 was confirmed.
The national record was ratified on the 118th birthday of the Minas Gerais native, celebrated on February 15, 2026.
A possible analysis by Guinness World Records could still change the international ranking. However, Luizinho does not currently hold the official title of the oldest man in the world.
Guinness recognizes the Brazilian João Marinho Neto, born on October 5, 1912, as the oldest living man on the planet.
The British Ethel Caterham, born on August 21, 1909, holds the position of the oldest living person recognized internationally.
A life started in 1908
The birth of Luizinho occurred in a distant historical period. In that same year, the writer Machado de Assis died.
The year 1908 also marked the birth of composer Cartola and the founding of Clube Atlético Mineiro.
Throughout his journey, the elderly man witnessed more than a century of social, political, and technological changes.
Before living in the institution, Luizinho worked for years as a farmer. He never married and had no children.
The neighborhood, however, offered support during different moments of his life. Later, the Lar São Vicente de Paulo became his permanent residence.
What is Luizinho’s routine like at the home
Luizinho’s stay at Lar São Vicente de Paulo began in 1971. Therefore, the man from Minas Gerais completes 55 years of living in the institution in 2026.
Staff describe the elderly man as calm, reserved, and independent. Whenever possible, he prefers to carry out small daily tasks on his own.
Organizing the objects near his bed is part of his routine. Another frequent habit is collecting stones in the yard and carefully aligning them.
Caregivers consider this practice therapeutic. Luizinho also maintains the habit of smoking straw cigarettes.
Although he has lost the ability to speak, he understands what is happening around him. His communication occurs through gestures and head movements.
According to those responsible for the home, the elderly man does not use continuous medication for chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Only vitamins are part of his usual care.
Serious complications were also not recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Thus, Luizinho’s journey combines longevity, historical memory, and a routine marked by simplicity. Worldwide recognition, however, will depend on formal validation by the Guinness World Records.
