Ilie Ciocan of Romania (1913-2026), potential World’s Oldest Man, dies at 112.
We are saddened to report the passing of Ilie Ciocan, the oldest living man in Europe and believed to have been the oldest living man in the world. He passed away on 27 May 2026 at the age of 112 years, 351 days. Ilie Ciocan was born on 28 May 1913 (O.S.) / 10 June 1913 (N.S). He lived through more than a century of extraordinary history, witnessing generations of change and leaving behind a remarkable legacy of longevity and resilience. His life was an inspiration to many within the longevity and supercentenarian community around the world. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew…
Louise Small, the oldest known living person in Jamaica, celebrated her 110th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Louise Small (as known as Iris Duffus), the oldest known living person in Jamaica, has celebrated her 110th birthday on 24 May 2026 in Fairview, Spanish Town, St. Catherine Parish. Louise Small was born in Dover District, St. Catherine Parish, Jamaica, on 24 May 1916. In her early years, she was frequently invited to perform at various events, including wakes and other similar activities. One of her daughter, Lawner Stephenson, paints a picture of her daily routine beginning with sweeping the yard and singing Christian hymns, a way she instills a rhythm of faith and discipline throughout the family. Even in her later years, she was still…
Peggy Cobb, the oldest known living person in the U.S. state of Georgia, celebrated her 111th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Peggy Cobb (née Vanstrom), the oldest known living person in the U.S. state of Georgia, has celebrated her 111th birthday on 23 May 2026 in Atlanta. Peggy Vanstrom was born on 23 May 1915 in Lyon County, Minnesota, to parents Frederick and Anna Vanstrom. Her father was the president of the Lynd State Bank. Both of Peggy’s parents were University of Minnesota graduates and all of their children were college graduates. On 31 December 1943, Peggy married Jacob Cobb in Hennepin, Minnesota. They went on to have three children together. Jacob passed away in Terre Haute, Indiana in 2002, aged 91, after which Peggy never remarried. The…
Dr. Lucio Chiquito Caicedo, the oldest known living man in Colombia, celebrated his 110th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mr. Dr. Lucio “Chiquito” Caicedo, the oldest known living man in Colombia, has celebrated his 110th birthday on 22 May 2026 in Medellin, Antioquia. Lucio “Chiquito” Caicedo was born in Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia, on 22 May 1916. As a child, he watched his father work on the Pacific Railroad, which made him interested and passionate about engineering. In 1941, he graduated from the Civil Engineering program of the Faculty of Mines of the National University in Medellin and received a bachelor degree on civil engineering. At the age of 27, in 1943, he saw a newspaper advertisement promising to win a scholarship and study at the…
Hedwig Zaugg, the oldest living person in Switzerland, celebrated her 111th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Hedwig Zaugg, the oldest living person in Switzerland, has celebrated her 111th birthday on 17 May 2026 in Huttwil, Canton of Bern. Hedwig Zaugg was born in Walterswil, Canton of Bern, Switzerland, on 17 May 1915. In 1941, at the age of 26, Hedwig married Andreas Zaugg. They welcomed their first daughter, Marianne, in 1944, followed by their second daughter, Katharina, in 1949. That same year, Andreas gave Hedwig a sewing and knitting machine to use at home. Also in 1949, the couple took over the stamping mill previously run by Hedwig’s father. Her husband died in 1992. For Hedwig’s 80th birthday, she received a new bicycle.…