Jiroemon Kimura Biography

(Oldest Living Male Recorded in History)

Birthday: April 19, 1897 (Aries)

Born In: Kyōtango, Kyoto Prefecture

Jiroemon Kimura was a Japanese supercentenarian who became the oldest living male recorded in history as of December 2012. At the age of 116 years and 54 days old at the time of death, he also holds the record of the only man who indisputably attained 116 years of age. Since his birth in 1897, he survived through the reign of four Japanese emperors as well as the administrations of 61 prime ministers. In his 50s, Kimura witnessed his nation dabble disastrously with militarism and also saw its eventual rise to become one of the world's most powerful economies. Born and raised in a fishing village alongside five siblings, Kimura worked at post offices following his schooling and retired at the age of 65. He also worked as a farmer. Two of the chief reasons behind his longevity were waking up early in the day and watching his food portion sizes. On 12 June 2013, Kimura breathed his last in a local medical centre in his hometown of Kyōtango. He was the last verified man alive born in the 19th century.
5
Quick Facts

Also Known As: Kinjiro Miyake

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Yae Kimura

father: Fusa Miyake

mother: Morizo

Japanese Male Aries Male

Died on: June 12, 2013

Childhood & Early life
Kimura was born as Kinjiro Miyake in the fishing village of Kamiukawa as one of the six children of Fusa and Morizo Miyake. According to records, he was born on 19 April 1897. However, his nephew Tamotsu Miyake stated that he was actually born on 19th of March instead of April.
Continue Reading Below
Career
After he finished school, Kimura began working in local post offices around the time he turned 17. In the 1920s, he also served as a government communications employee in Korea under the Japanese rule. After retiring from the post offices at the age of 65, he switched to farming and worked in the fields until the age of 90.
Family & Personal Life
As a young man, Kinjiro Miyake married a neighbor named Yae Kimura (1904-78). Following his marriage, he changed his name from Kinjiro Miyake to “Jiroemon Kimura” as his spouse’s family lacked a male heir. The couple had seven children, 14 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren.
Four of Kimura's siblings lived past the age of 90. His youngest brother breathed his last at the age of 100.
In his later years, Kimura lived in Kyōtango, Kyoto Prefecture in a two-storey wooden dwelling he had built during the 1960s. There, he was looked after by his eldest son's widow and his grandson's widow until his death. He enjoyed reading newspapers, greeting guests, and watching parliamentary debates and sumo wrestling on television.
On his 116th and last birthday, Kimura received many greetings from well-wishers. One of them was a video message from the Prime Minister Shinzō Abe.
Death
Jiroemon Kimura never suffered from any severe illness until 2013. His condition began deteriorating in the last few months of his life, eventually making him bedridden in February 2013. On 11 May 2013, Kimura was hospitalized for pneumonia. On 12 June at 2:08 a.m., he breathed his last in the hospital. The reason of his death was attributed to natural causes. His funeral was held on 14 June.
Other Records
On 19 June 2009, Jiroemon Kimura became the oldest living man in Japan following the death of Tomoji Tanabe. On 15 April 2011, he became the world's oldest living male upon the death of Walter Breuning. He later became the oldest living individual in Japan on 2 December 2011 upon the death of Chiyono Hasegawa and the world's oldest living person on 17 December 2012 upon the death of Dina Manfredini.

How To Cite

Article Title
- Jiroemon Kimura Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/jiroemon-kimura-43518.php

People Also Viewed

Mary Eliza Mahoney Biography
Mary Eliza Mahoney
(American)
 
Dr. Heavenly Kimes Biography
Dr. Heavenly Kimes
(American)
 
Valerie Jarrett Biography
Valerie Jarrett
(American)
 
Bob Lazar Biography
Bob Lazar
(American)
 
Joana Pak Biography
Joana Pak
(American)
 
Henry Hager Biography
Henry Hager
(American)
 

Also Listed In