Shigechiyo Izumi
From Freepedia
Shigechiyo Izumi (June 29, 1865 or 1880 – February 21, 1986) of the Ryukyu Islands, Japan (where people are noted for their longevity), was the oldest documented person in the world after the death of Niwa Kawamoto. He is still recognized as the longest-lived man in the world. Assuming his claimed birthdate is correct, he would have attained an age of 120, years older than any other recognized male, and the second-longest documented lifespan in the world, second only to that of Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment. He was recorded as a 6-year-old in Japan's first census of 1871. His wife died at the age of only 90. He worked until he was 105, drank shochu (firewater distilled from barley), and took up smoking at age 70. He attributed his long life to "God, Buddha, and the Sun." He stood at 1.42 meters tall and weighed 94 pounds.
On February 21, 1986 (the same day as Jeanne Calment's 111th birthday), he died of pneumonia after a brief hospitalization. He was 120 years and 237 days old (if 1865 yearbirth is correct). He was the last recognized surviving person of the 1860s.
Following his death, Mamie Eva Keith became the world's oldest person.
However, subsequent research has cast doubt on his claim, as what was previously believed to be his birth certificate may actually have been that of his older brother, who died young and whose name might have been reused as a necronym. Some Japanese experts, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested that he was actually born in 1880. If so, this would mean he was "only" 105 when he died.
| Preceded by: Niwa Kawamoto |
Oldest Recognized Person in the World | Succeeded by: |
| Preceded by: John Mosely Turner |
Oldest Recognized Living Man | Succeeded by: |
