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‘Oldest man alive’ celebrates 121st birthday after battling Covid – and even has the documents to ‘prove’ his age
A BRAZILIAN man claims to have celebrated his 121st birthday - which would make him the world's oldest living person.
Andrelino Vieira da Silva, a great-great-grandad, even claims he has battled Covid, despite his supposed age.
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Mr da Silva alleges he was born in 1901, the year Queen Victoria died, and insists he has documents to prove it.
Ancient Andrelino, who lives in the western province of Aparecida de Goiania, marked the supposed record landmark on Thursday, February 3, with a cake.
But according to granddaughter Janaina Lemes de Souza, 36, only Andrelino's family were in attendance because they all had Covid.
The retiree celebrated with a cake decorated with his first name, his alleged age, and the phrase 'O terror do INSS' ('The terror of the INSS').
The peculiar cake is a reference to the National Institute of Social Security which deals with pension payments and death benefits.
Andrelino is believed to have been married and had seven children, five of whom are still alive.
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Mr da Silva also claims to have 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild.
Grandaughter Janaina, who lives in one of three houses with her husband on the same plot of land as her grandfather, claimed "he travels" and even "goes to bars".
Janaina's mum, dad and brother live in another house while Andrelino lives alone in the third.
She told the G1 news portal: "He is lucid, active, cooks his food, takes care of his little things... He leads a normal life.
"He loves forro (a style of music and dance from north-eastern Brazil) and would always dance."
She also claimed that despite a bout of Covid, Andrelino "is doing very well" and "only has mild symptoms".
The oldest certified living person is Japan's Kane Tanaka, who was born on 2nd January 1903.
It is not clear if Andrelino and his family seek to have his age officially verified.
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