World's Oldest Man Dead At 113: Francisco Núñez Olivera Was Veteran Of Spanish Civil War

Around 10:30 the night of January 29, the world’s oldest man, Francisco Núñez Olivera​ passed away at his home in the village of Bienvenida in Badajoz, southwest Spain. The Spaniard will be buried in his native village leaving behind four children, nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, according to Mirror.

Bienvenida in Badajoz mayor Antonio Carmena confirmed his death and described it as a “shame for the entire village and the whole world,” according to the local press. “In recent years he has meant a lot to us, he has represented our village and he has helped make us known and loved.”

“He’s a living example of the quality of life in the municipality, but also of the pollution-free skies and countryside and stress-free work of the traditional way of life,” the Mayor added. Núñez Olivera was also the oldest living veteran of the Spanish Civil War. He joined the army at 19 and fought in the Rif War in the first half of the 1920s between Spain and the Berber tribes of the Rif mountains in Morocco. As reported by The Sun, his relatives attributed his longevity to a diet based on vegetables and a daily glass of red wine.

EFE reported that Francisco was known in his village as "Marchena," after Pepe Marchena, due to his resemblance to the singer. During his 113th birthday party, he ate traditional sponge cake and glass of milk, to later open with his daughter Antonia Núñez, 82, letters of congratulations from around the world.

According to the list of the 100 verified oldest people, the oldest verified person on record is French woman Jeanne Calment, who lived to the age of 122 years, 164 days.