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Rafael Chinchilla
Rafael Chinchilla
Chinchilla at the age of 110
Birth: 23 October 1912
Turin, Ahuachapan Department, El Salvador
Death: 30 August 2023
Ciudad Arce, La Libertad Department, El Salvador
Age: 110 years, 311 days
Country: El SalvadorSLV
Validated

Rafael Chinchilla (23 October 1912 – 30 August 2023) was a Salvadoran supercentenarian whose age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) in 2023. He was the oldest known living person in El Salvador at time of his death.

Biography[]

Rafael Chinchilla was born in Turin, Ahuachapan Department, El Salvador on 23 October 1912. He grew up and dedicated himself to agricultural production, since he did not have any opportunity to study, because, at the age of 12, he began working to help his family with expenses. At the age of 15, he took responsibility for his four brothers, since his mother passed away. Later, he moved to El Centro neighborhood of Ciudad Arce, La Libertad, where he has spent most of his life.

Despite the fact that he was never able to attend school, Chinchilla was presented with the opportunity to learn to read and write, and he did so at the age of 105, because one of his goals was always to be able to obtain new knowledge, and reading and writing were no exception. In 2018, he began his studies and joined the course with high expectations, where he was able to share with people of all ages. With the support of his family and his own effort due to his desire to improve, he managed to finish the first level and graduated thanks to the National Literacy Program, in November of the same year when he had already turned 106 years old.

In October 2022, Chinchilla celebrated his 110th birthday and became a supercentenarian. At the time, he had eight children, 21 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. He was also able to walk unassisted.

He became the oldest known living man in El Salvador, following the death of 111-year-old Santos Rivas on 17 April 2023. 10 days later, he became the oldest known living person in El Salvador, following the death of 111-year-old Sabina Garay on 27 April 2023.

Rafael Chinchilla died in Ciudad Arce, La Libertad Department, El Salvador on 30 August 2023 at the age of 110 years, 311 days.

Gallery[]

References[]


El Salvador's Oldest Living Person Titleholders (VE)

Santos RivasSabina GarayRafael ChinchillaBernabe Serrano Chavez


El Salvador's Oldest Living Man Titleholders (VE)

Santos RivasRafael Chinchilla

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