Arturo Licata — Italian supercentenarian (1902

Arturo Licata (1902–2014) was an Italian supercentenarian who became Italy's and Europe's oldest living man in 2012 and later the world's oldest living man in 2013. Summary of life, records and longevity context.

Overview

Arturo Licata (2 May 1902 – 24 April 2014) was an Italian man who attracted public attention late in life as a verified supercentenarian. In the final years of his life he held several regional and global distinctions among the world's oldest men. His longevity was widely reported in media and recorded by organizations that follow long-lived individuals.

Life and documented records

Born in 1902, Licata lived across more than eleven decades and died in 2014 at the age of nearly 112. He became Italy's oldest living man after the death of Giuseppe Mirabella on 30 March 2012. Later in 2012 he was recognized as Europe's oldest living man following the death of the Spanish centenarian Francisco Fernández Fernández on 7 September 2012. On 13 September 2013, after the death of Salustiano Sánchez, Licata was reported as the world's oldest living man.

Verification and reporting

Longevity claims for supercentenarians are typically established by examining birth and civil records and by cross-checking contemporary documentation. Licata's age and status were reported in national and international press and were included in tabulations maintained by researchers and organizations that track supercentenarians. Such verification processes help distinguish verified cases from unconfirmed claims.

Notable characteristics and context

Supercentenarian status: a term used for people who reach at least 110 years of age; Licata was publicly recognized as belonging to this group (supercentenarian).
Regional significance: as a publicly known elder, Licata became a symbol of extreme longevity in Italy and drew interest from both local communities and national media.
Rarity among men: globally, women far outnumber men among verified supercentenarians, making male cases like Licata's comparatively uncommon.

Importance and legacy

Arturo Licata's story contributes to broader public and scientific interest in human lifespan, healthy aging, and the social aspects of very old age. Profiles of supercentenarians often prompt discussion about genetics, lifestyle, health care, and record-keeping. While each long-lived individual's circumstances differ, documented cases like Licata's provide data points for researchers and serve as reminders of demographic change and the growing population of older adults in many countries.

Arturo Licata — Italian supercentenarian (1902–2014)