World's Oldest Men, Born Same Day, Exchange Birthday Wishes

One is 114, the other 113, and both were born on the exact same day, a year apart. This October 5th, something extraordinary happened: the world's two oldest living men exchanged birthday greetings for the first time, from opposite sides of the globe.

João Marinho Neto, born October 5th, 1912 in Brazil, marked his 114th birthday today and holds the title of the world's oldest man. Exactly one year later, on October 5th, 1913, Ken Weeks was born in the town of Grafton, Australia; he turned 113 today and is recognised as the world's second-oldest man. Both men's ages have been verified by the Longevity Quest research organisation.

More than 14,000 kilometres separate them, but the coincidence is almost beyond belief. They are not only the two oldest men alive, but they share the same birthday. This year, staff at the care home where Weeks lives decided to reach out to Neto, and the result was a special greeting that travelled from Brazil to Australia.

João Marinho Neto (Brazil), the world's oldest man, sends birthday wishes to Ken Weeks. (Photo: Social media)

Neto sent Weeks a birthday message. Weeks, sitting in his Australian care home, received it with visible emotion and later recorded a video message of his own, wishing Neto a happy birthday in return. According to reports, this is believed to be the first time the world's two oldest men have communicated around their shared birthday.

Weeks's life story is no less impressive than the number 113. He was born and raised in the Grafton area, the eldest of five children, and over the course of his life worked in a long list of trades. He built roads, drove trucks and buses, ran a service station, repaired radios and electrical equipment, managed a shop, and was a partner in a business selling and repairing cars.

During the Second World War, after being turned down by the Royal Australian Air Force on medical grounds, he helped build military airfields.

Even after moving into a care home at the age of 105, he continued to make his own bed, choose his own clothes, and feed himself.

According to his family, his lifestyle was very simple. He never smoked or drank, stayed active, and remained interested in the world even at 113. After turning 100, he still walked into town to do his own shopping. Today he continues to exercise daily, and care home staff say he still insists on walking two laps of the floor twice a day, as far as he is able.

His 113th birthday did not pass quietly. His family and care home staff organised a drive for him in a vintage car around Grafton, including visits to places that were part of his life, among them the school he attended more than a century ago.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Neto celebrated his 114th birthday.

On October 5th, 2026, the two oldest men in the world celebrated together, though they have never met face to face.