| Jules Theobald | |
 Theobald in November 2019 at the age of 110 (claimed 112) | |
| Birth: | 17 April 1909 Le Robert, Martinique, France |
| Death: | 5 October 2021 Fort-de-France, Martinique, France |
| Age: | 112 years, 171 days |
| Country: |  MTQ, FRA
|
| Unvalidated | |
Jules Theobald (17 April 1909 – 5 October 2021) was a French supercentenarian whose age is currently unvalidated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG). He was the oldest (known) living French man from the death of Roger Auvin on 13 October 2019 until his own on 5 October 2021.
Biography[]
Theobald was born in Le Robert, Martinique, France on 17 April 1909. While he celebrates his birthday on 17 April, he claims that he was likely born a bit earlier, and that this date was instead the day his birth was registered, as birth registration was often delayed in an era where infant mortality was high. In addition, some of his family members have stated that he could have even been born as early as 1907, although there is no way of corroborating this claim.
Theobald worked as a fisherman, where he would sometimes fish onboard a canoe, as opposed to a more modern fishing vessel. Since he would often be out at sea for long periods of time, this career was occasionally fraught with dangers, including having to be rescued from a sinking boat.
At the age of 110, Theobald stated that the only thing preventing him from returning to his career as a fisherman was his inability to walk, remarking "if the Lord gave me the strength to get on my boat, I would go to sea". Aside from being wheelchairbound and hard of hearing, he remained in good health otherwise. He continued to live in a house by the sea, taken care of by his son, Christian, and daughter, Gabrielle. His eldest daughter lives in France, but often visited him prior to the pandemic.
On 3 November 2019, Theobald was visited by the president of the Association of Inhabitants of the coast of Pointe des Negres (HLPN), Philippe Meyniac.
Theobald lived in La Pointe des Negres, Fort-de-France, Martinique, France at the time of his death. Following the death of 113-year-old Julie Montabord on 18 July 2019, he became the oldest living person in Martinique. He was also the oldest man to have ever lived in Martinique. After surpassing the final age of Maurice Floquet (1894-2006) on 4 March 2021, he may have became the oldest French man ever recorded, as well as possibly the first one to reach the age of 112.
Jules Theobald died in Fort-de-France, Martinique, France on 5 October 2021 at the age of 112 (claimed 114) years, 171 days. Following his death, Marcel Meys became the oldest man from France, as well as the last known surviving French man born in 1909.
At the time of his death, he was the second-oldest known living man in the world, behind Saturnino de la Fuente Garcia.
Gallery[]
References[]
- 110 ans et un trophée pour Jules Théobald France-Antilles Martinique, 4 November 2019
- À 110 ans, le Foyalais Théobald est le doyen des Français RCI, 27 November 2019
- Le Martiniquais Jules Théobald, doyen des Français, a 111 ans aujourd’hui France-Antilles Martinique, 17 April 2020
- Jules Théobald, bientôt 112 ans, mis à l'honneur France-Antilles Martinique, 15 March 2021
- Oldest Frenchman has died at 112 Straits Times, 5 October 2021
| France's Oldest Living Man Titleholders (V • E) |
|
Jean Teillet • Louis-Jules Lebon • Unknown • Pierre James • Adolphe Gravelines • Henri Perignon • Faustin Jaumard • Louis Brard • Andre Raynaud • Emile Fourcade • Bernard Delhom • Louis Arthur Bon • Leon-Clement Estivals • Jules Many • Theophane Rifosta • Alexis Daigneau • Raymond Abescat • Joseph Rabenda • Jean Chevenet • Maurice Floquet • Aime Avignon • Louis de Cazenave • Lazare Ponticelli • Pierre Picault • Joseph Malahieude • Felix Rostaing • Philibert Parnasse • Charles De Antoni • Andre Coudrat • Louis Le Bouedec • Emile Turlant • Philippe Vocanson • Roger Gouzy • Robert Bourdon • Georges Massard • Roger Auvin • Jules Theobald • Marcel Meys • Andre Boite • Jose Van Zandijcke • Andre Ludwig • Maurice Le Coutour |
| Martinique's Oldest Living Person Titleholders (V • E) |
|
Felicite Jandia • Marie Frederic • Luce Maced • Angele Marc • Marcelle Corlet • Louise Bilon • Veronique Louis-Sidney • Irenise Moulonguet • Jeanne Lechar • Virginie Nirde • Julie Montabord • Jules Theobald • Philomene Fibleuil • Marie-Dominique Zadick |