The world oldest man, John Alfred Tinniswoodwas 112 years old and now lives in a nursing home in Merseyside. Tinniswood was born in 1912 and believes that he was only able to live so long because he was lucky and simple tradition Fish and chips every Friday, the Guardian reported.
At the beginning of the year he was appointed oldest living man in the world following the death of 114-year-old Juan Vicente Pérez from Venezuela. Tinniswood, the oldest man in Britain since 2020, reflected on his rich life experiences and offered Advice for younger generations.
A life long Liverpool FC fan and war veteran
Tinniswood is a keen Liverpool football fan, having been born in the city just 20 years after the club was founded. He has witnessed almost all of Liverpool FC’s major victories, including eight FA Cup wins. He met his wife Blodwen at a dance in Liverpool and they were married for 44 years until she died in 1986. They had a daughter, Susan, born in 1943, and Tinniswood is now a great-grandfather.
During World War II he served in an administrative capacity for the Army Pay Corps, making him the oldest living male veteran of that conflict. After the war he worked as an accountant for companies such as Shell and BP before retiring in 1972. Even at this age Tinniswood leads an independent life, managing his own finances, keeping up with news on the radio and even getting out of bed without help.
Considerations on longevity and life changes
Of his longevity, Tinniswood said: “You either live long or you live short, and there’s not much you can do about it. I don’t feel that age, I’m not upset about it. That’s probably why I’ve reached it. I just take it in stride like everything else. Why I’ve lived so long, I don’t know at all. I can’t think of any particular secrets. I was quite active as a youngster, I ran a lot. Whether that had anything to do with it, I don’t know. But to me, I’m no different. No different at all.”
He emphasized moderation as a possible key to his long life, saying, “I eat what they give me, and so does everyone else. I don’t have a special diet. If you drink too much or eat too much or walk too much, if you do too much of anything, you’re going to suffer eventually.”
Witness of a Century of change and advice for younger generations
For ten years, beginning with his 100th birthday in 2012, Tinniswood received a birthday card from the late Queen. He has lived through the tenure of 24 British Prime Ministers.
When asked how he thought the world had changed, Tinniswood replied: “The world is constantly changing in its own way. It’s kind of an ongoing process… It’s getting a little better, but not that much yet. It’s going in the right direction.”
Tinniswood also gave advice to younger generations: “Always do your best, whether you are learning something or teaching someone something. Give it everything you have. Otherwise it’s not worth bothering with.”
At the beginning of the year he was appointed oldest living man in the world following the death of 114-year-old Juan Vicente Pérez from Venezuela. Tinniswood, the oldest man in Britain since 2020, reflected on his rich life experiences and offered Advice for younger generations.
A life long Liverpool FC fan and war veteran
Tinniswood is a keen Liverpool football fan, having been born in the city just 20 years after the club was founded. He has witnessed almost all of Liverpool FC’s major victories, including eight FA Cup wins. He met his wife Blodwen at a dance in Liverpool and they were married for 44 years until she died in 1986. They had a daughter, Susan, born in 1943, and Tinniswood is now a great-grandfather.
During World War II he served in an administrative capacity for the Army Pay Corps, making him the oldest living male veteran of that conflict. After the war he worked as an accountant for companies such as Shell and BP before retiring in 1972. Even at this age Tinniswood leads an independent life, managing his own finances, keeping up with news on the radio and even getting out of bed without help.
Considerations on longevity and life changes
Of his longevity, Tinniswood said: “You either live long or you live short, and there’s not much you can do about it. I don’t feel that age, I’m not upset about it. That’s probably why I’ve reached it. I just take it in stride like everything else. Why I’ve lived so long, I don’t know at all. I can’t think of any particular secrets. I was quite active as a youngster, I ran a lot. Whether that had anything to do with it, I don’t know. But to me, I’m no different. No different at all.”
He emphasized moderation as a possible key to his long life, saying, “I eat what they give me, and so does everyone else. I don’t have a special diet. If you drink too much or eat too much or walk too much, if you do too much of anything, you’re going to suffer eventually.”
Witness of a Century of change and advice for younger generations
For ten years, beginning with his 100th birthday in 2012, Tinniswood received a birthday card from the late Queen. He has lived through the tenure of 24 British Prime Ministers.
When asked how he thought the world had changed, Tinniswood replied: “The world is constantly changing in its own way. It’s kind of an ongoing process… It’s getting a little better, but not that much yet. It’s going in the right direction.”
Tinniswood also gave advice to younger generations: “Always do your best, whether you are learning something or teaching someone something. Give it everything you have. Otherwise it’s not worth bothering with.”
