From the heart of a small municipality in Colombia to the quiet of a family home in New Jersey, the story of Luis Cano builds a bridge between worlds and generations. At 111 years old, this Colombian-born man has become the oldest living person in the United States, a distinction that not only challenges demographic statistics but also reshapes narratives about migration and human longevity.
News of his status has resonated across various media outlets and sparked both curiosity and admiration, not only because of his age but because of the life that preceded and accompanies it.
For Cano, longevity is not an isolated fact but a living testament to the passage of time, to the decisions and circumstances that led him to leave his native country more than three decades ago. His life, marked by work, family, and discipline, offers a human perspective on a phenomenon often reduced to statistics: Surpassing 110 years of life remains an extraordinary event anywhere in the world, and even more so for a Colombian immigrant settled in another country.
Oldest man in the US is a 111-year-old Colombian
Luis de Jesus Cano Vasquez was born on Dec. 9, 1914, in Andes, Antioquia, a small municipality that in the early years of the 20th century was a place where life moved at the pace of rural work and family traditions.
The son of Leocadio Cano Arroyave and Ana Rita Vasquez Franco, Cano was one of 10 siblings and, over the years, became the sole survivor of his large family. From a very young age, he faced the demands of life in Colombia, completing military service and later launching his own business: A fleet of buses that operated in rural areas of the country.
In 1948, he married Alicia Arango Cano, with whom he shared much of his life. The couple had 10 children, and over time their family expanded to include 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Cano has always emphasized the importance of family as a fundamental pillar of his existence, a network of affection that has sustained him even after the death of his wife in 2004.
The year 1990 marked a turning point in his personal journey: Together with Alicia, he decided to emigrate to the United States, hoping to reunite with some of their children who were already living there. The family first settled in Far Rockaway, New York, and later in Linden, New Jersey, where Cano currently lives with two of his daughters.
That move defined his destiny and, over time, led him to occupy a place in the longevity records of one of the most populous countries in the world.
A record that goes beyond the numbers
Life in the United States was not just a geographic change for Cano, but also an expansion of experiences and customs. In December 2024, following the death of Eugene Baltes, Cano was formally recognized by LongeviQuest, an organization that validates longevity records, as the oldest living man in the United States. According to data from that entity, he also holds a prominent position among the oldest men in the world.
Longevity records are often accompanied by persistent questions about the “secret” to reaching such advanced ages. For Cano, there are no magic formulas, but rather a combination of discipline, healthy habits, and, above all, a life devoted to work and to his loved ones.
He himself has emphasized that he was never fond of smoking or drinking alcohol, maintained constant physical activity until around the age of 105, and has followed a diet based on natural products such as vegetables, beans, and avocado. In addition, rest and reflection have been an essential part of his daily routine.
When speaking about his longevity, Cano has stressed that a calm routine, close contact with family, and gratitude for each day lived constitute a “modus vivendi” that has accompanied him for more than a century. Today, with less physical energy than in his youth, he devotes much of his time to remembering, reflecting, and sharing moments with his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
The case of Luis Cano is striking not only because of the age he has reached, but also because of his dual condition: An immigrant and a symbol of vital resilience in a society that has witnessed historic changes, wars, technological advances, and profound cultural transformations during his lifetime.
He stands as a bridge between eras, bearing witness to decades of Latin American migration and giving a face to individual stories that rarely make headlines so frequently.
Beyond a record: a human testimony
To live 111 years means having lived through historical, social, and personal moments that very few can recount firsthand. Luis Cano has not only witnessed those changes but has lived them intensely, adapting to new environments, languages, and cultures.
His story mirrors that of thousands of migrants who, like him, left Colombia in search of better opportunities and ultimately put down new roots far from their homeland.
In Linden, his home in New Jersey, Cano is more than a record: He is a respected figure, surrounded by family and human closeness. Official recognition by local authorities underscores not only his age but the presence of a life extended with meaning.
In a world where migration and longevity are central topics of demographic debate, Cano’s story adds a deeply human dimension to statistics and projections.
As he recalls his years in Colombia, his journey north, and the life he has built in the United States, Luis Cano offers more than a number: He conveys a lesson about the value of work, family, and perseverance. At 111 years old, his presence remains a reminder that behind every figure there is a singular, complex, and above all, human story.