Ilie Ciocan was born in the village of Cremenari, Vâlcea County, Romania, on 10 June [O.S. 28 May] 1913. He lost his father, Tudor, at age six, and his mother at age twelve. According to him, until the age of seven he owned virtually no clothing, and was forced to begin working very young in order to survive.

On 28 January 1932, at the age of 18, he married Floarea Obogeanu, a woman seven years older than him, who was considered comparatively well-off because she owned a small plot of land they could live from. The couple would eventually have six children (three sons and three daughters).

It is believed that Ciocan became Romania’s oldest living man following the passing of Ioan Lascău (25 February 1912 – 15 February 2021).

Following the passing of 109-year-old Maria Mihai (5 January 1913 – 2 February 2022), he became the oldest known living person in Romania.

On 30 January 2024, following the death of 111-year-old Japanese veteran Tsuneji Oyama, he became the world’s oldest known living World War II veteran.

On 13 August 2024, following the death of 111-year-old Briton John Farringdon, he became the last surviving European man born in 1913.

On 25 November 2024, after the death of 112-year-old Briton John Tinniswood, Ciocan became the Oldest Living Man in Europe.

On 16 January 2025, at the age of 111 years and 220 days, Ciocan surpassed the final age of Dumitru Comănescu (1908–2020), who lived to 111 years and 219 days, becoming the oldest validated man — and the oldest validated person — in Romanian history. Two Romanian emigrants, Istvánné Fejes and Barbara Poth, however, lived longer. On 12 April 2025, Ciocan surpassed Fejes’s final age, becoming the oldest known person ever born in Romania. In June, he became the first documented Romanian to reach the age of 112.

On 5 October 2025, after the death of 112-year-old Josino Levino Ferreira, Ciocan became the 2nd World Oldest Living Man.

His age was validated by LongeviQuest on 7 November 2025.

As of 17 December 2025, he lives in Bratia din Vale, Galicea, Vâlcea County, Romania.

With his wife.

Aged 109 in September 2022.

Aged 109 in April 2023.

In 2023.

On 28 May 2025.