RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil: What are the chances that the world’s two oldest living men would not only survive beyond 110 but also share the same birthday? Remarkably, Brazil’s João Marinho Neto and Australia’s Ken Weeks were both born on October 5, exactly one year apart.
Happy birthday to the world’s oldest man, João Marinho Neto, who turns 114 today 🥳
He was born exactly one year apart from the world’s second oldest man, Ken Weeks, and they both posed for birthday pics with a card for one another 🥰 https://t.co/snzyQaMNou
— Guinness World Records (@GWR) October 5, 2026
Neto, born on October 5, 1912, in Maranguape, Brazil, has reached 114 and is recognised as the world’s oldest living man. Weeks, born on October 5, 1913, in Grafton, New South Wales, Australia, is the second-oldest man.
Despite being separated by around 14,000 kilometres, the two supercentenarians marked their birthdays this year by exchanging warm greetings.
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Birthday messages across the world
Weeks, who now lives in an aged-care home, was delighted to receive a birthday message from Neto.
He later recorded a video message of his own, congratulating the Brazilian centenarian and returning the birthday wishes.
The unusual connection has given the two men something extraordinary in common: not only their remarkable longevity but also a birthday they have shared for more than a century.
Ken exchanged birthday messages with the only man in the world who is older than him. 🥰 Full story: https://t.co/Qf6jEQWLKl https://t.co/SQnS2YxIZy
— news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) October 5, 2026
A century of Australian life
Weeks has lived at the aged-care facility since 2018 after spending more than 100 years in his hometown.
He married Jean McAfee in 1941, and the couple had two sons. Jean died in 1986, but Weeks continued living independently for many years afterwards.
During World War II, he attempted to join the Royal Australian Air Force, although his application was unsuccessful.
Weeks eventually became a grandfather to three grandchildren and remained closely connected with his family.
Australia’s oldest man, Ken Weeks from Grafton, has turned 113 years old.
He shares his birthday with the world’s oldest man, João Marinho Neto from Brazil, who is 114. The two centenarians exchanged well wishes to mark their shared special day. #longevity #centenarian #Australia
— Naqeeb Hussain (@Passdarg) October 5, 2026
Still active after turning 100
His extraordinary longevity has been accompanied by an equally remarkable determination to remain active.
His family says Weeks was still doing his own shopping even after turning 100, reflecting his independence and active approach to life.
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According to his granddaughter, Weeks remains determined and continues to care about those around him, wanting to make life better for the people in his community.
At 113, Weeks and 114-year-old Neto have more than exceptional ages in common, they share a rare birthday bond that has brought two of the world’s oldest men together across continents.
