https://longeviquest.com/2026/10/ken-weeks-worlds-second-oldest-man-celebrates-113th-birthday/

Ken Weeks, World’s Second-Oldest Man, Celebrates 113th Birthday

LongeviQuest is pleased to confirm that on 5th October 2026, the world’s second-oldest man and oldest living Australian, Ken Weeks, has celebrated his 113th birthday in Grafton, New South Wales. As the longest lived man ever recorded in Australia, Ken’s 113th birthday marks a longevity milestone for the country, making him the first Australian man ever recorded to reach the age of 113.

Ken celebrated his milestone birthday, the first 113th birthday in Australia for over a decade, quietly with family and the Whiddon-Grafton community, at a party held at his care home. At the celebration Ken’s family and friends sang Happy Birthday as the birthday boy blew out the candles on his specially prepared birthday cake. Ken then took a knife and made the first cut of the cake, which was readily enjoyed by family and fellow residents.

Chris Mamarelis, CEO of Whiddon Care-Homes shared “Ken’s 113th birthday is an extraordinary milestone. But for us, it’s never about the number. It’s about Ken, and the life he has lived to get there. It is a privilege to be part of this chapter of his life and to see him continue to find joy in connection and in the world around him.”

KEN’S 6760 WEEKS OF LIFE

Kenneth Loxton Weeks was born on 5th October 1913 in Grafton, New South Wales, the first of five children born to Darcy Edwin Weeks (1887-1965) and Dorothy Loxton (1886-1970). He grew up on a riverside farm located near Swan Creek. In 1941, he married Jean McPhee (1911-1986) and had two sons Ian and the late Noel (1943-2020).

Throughout his remarkable life, Ken had many occupations. His first job was as a farm boy; Ken once remembered his job was “to go out before dawn to get the cattle up”.

During WWII he applied to join the Royal Australian Air Force, but at a height of just 1.5 meters, his short stature lead to him being turned away. Instead he worked in construction, laying roads and constructing wartime airfields at Evans Head. He drove his own tip-truck, sometimes having to load it with heavy gravel using a hand shovel. During the war he developed an interest in radio and electronics, even installing a tall TV antenna tower on his house roof to receive a patchy signal before his town had local TV reception.

After the war he became co-owner of a Chrysler car dealership and repair business in Grafton before setting up a radio and electrical sales/repair business, later replacing it with a milk bar which he ran with his wife. He also ran a traditional fish and chip shop. Eventually he worked as a school bus driver in Clarence Valley before ultimately retiring in 1978 aged 65.

Throughout his life Mr. Weeks has had a keen interested in boats and boat building. He built a “VS” class sailing boat in the garage of his grandmother who lived next door to him. Ken enjoyed racing this boat other enthusiasts, being local champion in the 1940s-50s. He then built a 38 foot fishing boat with the help of a friend, which was launched in 1957. Ken also had time to “tinker” with small trucks and converted some to camper vans. After his retirement Ken and his wife took a number of trips with these up and down the East Coast of Australia.

After his wife’s death in 1986 following 45 years of marriage, Ken remained active and engaged in life. He continued to walk into town to do his shopping until he reached 100 when eventually decided to purchase an electric tricycle to make his trips easier. He continued to live independently in the same home, once owned by his great-grandfather William (1829-1925), for 65 years before he ultimately decided to move in his care-home shortly before his 105th birthday in 2018.

LONGEVITY

Healthy all his life, longevity runs in Ken’s family with his siblings Marjory, Alan and Gordon, all living to reach the age of 90. Ken and his brothers all attended Grafton High School’s Centenary celebrations in 2012. At the age of 98, Ken was the oldest remaining male pupil, and was invited to cut the cake at the special centenary event.

When he reached 100 in 2013, Ken’s son Ian said “No smoking, no drinking and lots of walking did it I think”. Ken was said to be both physically and mentally active; and until recently he maintained his own shares and stocks and did his own tax returns, using a computer, a skill he taught himself.

Upon turning 110 in 2023, Ken became one of only 7 known Australian men known to have reached this milestone and become a supercentenarian. In April 2025, upon surpassing the age of Dexter Kruger, Ken became the longest-lived Australian man in history, and in May 2026, upon the death of Romanian man Ilie Ciocan, became the last surviving man who was born in 1913.

STILL FULL OF BEANS

At the age of 113, Ken remains active, regularly taking brisk walks along the corridors of his home with his walker, keeping abreast of what’s happening and chatting to fellow residents. Whilst requiring some assistance from care-home staff, Ken also retains much of his independence. One job remains his and his alone as he insists on personally ensuring his bed in neatly made each morning, to his very pristine standards.

Ken maintains the secret to his long life is, along with being active and keeping interested in the world, is his life-long habit of eating Heinz Baked Beans, which he still consumes almost daily.

Across his 113 years, Ken has seen it all and is proudly still going strong. His granddaughter Eunice, speaking on behalf of Ken and his family said “Grandpa’s resilience, determination and independence combined with his faith in God have given him a remarkable and long life. And while he is remarkable, I also love that he has lived a simple ordinary life of industrious hard work. To me he is a typical Aussie battler that just happens to be my Grandad.”

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

As Ken blew out the candles on his 113th birthday, he was sharing the milestone with the only man in the world older than him, João Marinho Neto, as in an extraordinary coincidence, the two men share the same birthday, exactly one year apart.

João was born one year earlier than Ken on 5 October 1912 and more than 14,000 kilometres away in Maranguape, Ceara, Brazil, but today, 5 October 2026, the two men are celebrating their shared birthday together, by exchanging birthday wishes from opposite sides of the world in what is believed to be a world-first connection between the world’s two oldest living men.

João sent Ken a special birthday message from Brazil, which Ken was delighted to receive. Via his granddaughter Valeria, João said… “Feliz Anniversario Ken! Muitos anos de vida. Parabens!” This translates to “Happy Birthday Ken! I wish you many more years of happiness. Congratulations!” He also posed for a photograph holding a specially created card for Ken.

In return, Ken also posed for a photograph similarly holding a card specially designed by the team at Whiddon. Alongside his granddaughter Eunice, Ken shared his thanks and warm birthday wishes for João, as the two men marked their extraordinary shared milestone.

The special birthday exchange was made possible LongeviQuest’s UK researcher Ben Hinchliffe in collaboration with João’s granddaughter Valeria Marinho and the General Communications/PR Manager of Whiddon Care-Homes, Shannon Muscolino.

Whiddon CEO, Chris Mamarelis shared “Today, Ken connects with the only man on earth older than him. Two men, born a year and fourteen thousand kilometers apart, exchanging messages on the one day that belongs to them both. That is not something we plan for, it is a privilege to witness. I don’t believe we will ever see this again – the world’s two oldest men – one turning 113, the other 114, on the same day, wishing each other happy birthday from opposite sided of the world. That is not rare. That is special and it may be the only time it ever happens.”

Ben Meyers, CEO of LongeviQuest added “Seeing Ken and João exchange birthday greetings reminds us how extraordinary they are. At 113 and 114, respectively, they are each other’s only true peer. This is the first time the world’s two oldest men have ever knowingly exchanged birthday greetings, and it makes it even more special that they share the same birthday, born exactly one year apart in 1912 and 1913. It’s almost like two old mates congratulating each other.”

By the time one reaches their 113th year, there aren’t many firsts left but for Ken, this birthday came with a first, with a message from a very special birthday companion. A man born one year before him on the other side of the world, who happens to be the only man alive who knows exactly what it is like to have lived a little longer.

Photo courtesy of Whiddon Care-Homes.

LongeviQuest sends warmest congratulations to Mr. Weeks on his milestone 113th birthday and best wishes for continued good health and happiness.