Very good work in making the galleries of every doyen and doyenne!

@coyote77 Thanks, S.!

Mrs. Sabina Garay, the oldest documented living person in El Salvador, sadly passed away today, 27 April 2023, aged 111.

Rest in peace.

https://longeviquest.com/2024/11/salvadoran-woman-josefa-rodriguez-chanta-dies-at-111/

Salvadoran woman Josefa Rodríguez Chanta dies at 111

Sonsonate, Sonsonate Department — Josefa Rodríguez Chanta, who was possibly the oldest living resident of El Salvador, passed away on November 4, at the claimed age of 111 years, 230 days.

Known locally as Niña Fita, she claimed to have been born in Zacatecoluca, La Paz Department, on 19 March 1913. As a young woman and later as an adult, she worked in commerce, running a fruit shop on a street in Sonsonate—a city she settled in about 50 years ago. She dedicated herself to raising her only son, Jesús Alberto Rodríguez, instilling in him a strong work ethic and a deep faith in God through the teachings of the Catholic Church. The Rodríguez family is well-known in Sonsonate and is deeply devoted to their Catholic faith.

The news of her passing was shared on Facebook by Rolando Ramirez, a journalist from the local news outlet Pluma Libre.

Currently, her age has not been officially documented or verified.

Bernabé Serrano Chávez is a Salvadorian supercentenarian whose age has been validated by LongeviQuest. At the moment, she is the oldest (known) living person in El Salvador.

In May 2024, aged 108. (Source: Sucesos del Norte SV)

Interestingly, the oldest man in Costa Rica is Bernabe Cordoba Cordoba, born on June 11, 1915, meaning he has the same name and was born on the same day as Bernabe Serrano Chavez.

Posted by: @diego

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Interestingly, the oldest man in Costa Rica is Bernabe Cordoba Cordoba, born on June 11, 1915, meaning he has the same name and was born on the same day as Bernabe Serrano Chavez.

Their shared name isn't actually a coincidence - they're both named after Saint Barnabas, as they were born on his Feast Day (June 11th). It's quite unusual for a woman to be named Bernabé, though.

Posted by: @mendocino

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It's quite unusual for a woman to be named Bernabé, though.

Bernabe is a masculine name, isn't it?

It's true, the reason for having the same name born on this date is explained, but it's curious that both are the oldest men in their countries and were even born in the same year.

Thank you for your curiosity and the shared culture of these countries. 🙂 

Ms. Sara Ticas, who claimed to be one of the oldest known living person in El Salvador, sadly passed away on 11 December 2025, at the claimed age of 111 years, 38 days.

She claimed to be born on 3 November 1914.

Rest in peace.

https://longeviquest.com/supercentenarian/rafael-chinchilla/

Rafael Chinchilla was born in Turín, Ahuachapán 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 14, he took responsibility for his four siblings, 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.

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

His age was validated by LongeviQuest on 29 September 2026.

@ale76 Congratulations to the validation team and to the family of Mr. Chinchilla!

Does anyone know more about this claim? From the September 22, 1941 edition of the New York Times.

SAN SALVADOR, Sept. 21—José Luz Rodriguez died here today at the age of 111. He was the last surviving soldier to serve in the army in 1863 when it was commanded by Capt. Gen. Gerardo Rodriguez. He was one of the promoters of the Centro-American Union.

His death record documents his age as 105, and the earliest document I can find is his daughter's birth record from 1869. If he did serve in 1863, then he was at least in his mid-90s when he died.