World's oldest man dies at 114

Walter Breuning, the world's oldest man and the second oldest person, has died aged 114 from natural causes. He died in a Montana hospital after being admitted at the beginning of February with an undisclosed illness.

He attributes his long life to eating only two meals a day because 'that's all you need' working as long as you can, embracing change, helping others and of course, accepting death.

He said the last one was a lesson he learned from his grandfather, proclaiming, "We're all going to die. Some people are scared of dying. never be afraid to die. Because you're born to die."


Walter Breuning attrributes his long life to eating only two meals a day

Walter's earliest memories stretched back 111 years, before home entertainment came with a twist of the radio dial.

Breuning was 26 days younger than Besse Cooper of Georgia, whom the Gerontology Research Group in Los Angeles lists as the world's oldest person.

Breuning was born on 21 September 1896, in Minnesota and spent his early life in South Dakota. His family had no electricity or running water.

He lied about his age and got a job in Minnesota with the Great Northern Railway in 1913 at age 16.
Breuning remained in his job until 1963 the year the Beatles released their first album when he decided to retire at the age of 67.

But, he kept working, becoming the manager and secretary for the local Shriners, a group similar to the Freemasons, a position he held until he was 99.

He moved into the Rainbow retirement community in 1980, calling home a spare studio apartment with bare walls.

Breuning would spent his days in an armchair outside the retirement home director's office in a suit and tie, sitting near a framed Guinness certificate proclaiming him the world's oldest man.

He would eat breakfast and lunch and then retire to his room in the early afternoon. He would visit the doctor twice a year for check-ups and the only medication he would take was aspirin, director Tina Bundtrock said.

With most of his relatives gone, Breuning said his real family was there in the Rainbow. He received letters from admirers from around the world, and he kept up with world events.

"Everybody says your mind is the most important thing about your body. Your mind and your body. You keep both busy, and by God you'll be here a long time," Breuning said.u00a0

Did you know?
Besse Cooper, who is 114 years isu00a0 the world's oldest living person. Breuning was only 26 days younger than Cooper.