Emiliano Mercado del Toro Puerto Rican centenarian Date of Birth: 21.08.1891 Country: USA

1. Biography of Emiliano Mercado del Toro
2. Early Life and Military Service
3. Recognition and Honors
4. The Secrets to Longevity
5. Death and Legacy

Biography of Emiliano Mercado del Toro

Emiliano Mercado del Toro was a Puerto Rican supercentenarian, recognized as the oldest living person on Earth from December 11, 2006, until his death. He was also one of the oldest verified men ever and the oldest living military veteran on the planet.

Early Life and Military Service

Emiliano Mercado del Toro was born on August 21, 1891, in the municipality of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. He spent his entire life working as a truck driver on a sugar plantation in his hometown. During World War I, he was drafted into the United States Army and spent several months in a training camp. Although he did not participate in any combat, he was recognized as the oldest living military veteran among all those who have ever lived.

Recognition and Honors

In 1993, Emiliano Mercado del Toro was awarded a medal by President Bill Clinton in honor of the 75th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. He also experienced the American invasion of Puerto Rico and the subsequent war between the United States and Spain, which led to the end of Spanish colonial rule in Latin America.

On his 115th birthday, August 21, 2006, a celebration was held in the central square of Isabela, where Mercado lived with his niece. Numerous relatives, friends, and the mayor of the city, Charlie Delgado, attended the festivities. The mayor announced that one of the retirement homes would be named after Mercado in recognition of his achievements and the positive impact he had on the island.

The Secrets to Longevity

When asked about the secret to his longevity, Mercado attributed it to never poisoning his body with alcohol. He also mentioned that he always tried to consume healthy foods such as boiled corn, milk, and codfish. However, it should be noted that he smoked for 76 years before quitting in his old age. Mercado never married and did not have any children. In his later years, he was taken care of by his nieces and nephews, the children of his deceased younger brother.

Death and Legacy

Emiliano Mercado del Toro passed away in his own home in Isabela on January 24, 2007. He was buried in the municipal cemetery of his hometown, Cabo Rojo. Throughout his long life, Mercado held multiple longevity records, from being the oldest living citizen of Puerto Rico to being recognized as the oldest person on Earth. He also held the title of the oldest verified man, second only to Christian Mortensen, and third if the disputed longevity of Sigitoyo Izumi is included. Additionally, Mercado was the last known individual to be born in the year 1891.