LongeviQuest recently reviewed the case of Robert Freeman of the United States, who might have been the world’s oldest living man at the time of his passing upon our revalidation.
The Kestenbaum study initially verified Robert Freeman’s age and was later validated by the Gerontology Research Group on 6 June 2003, using his claimed date of birth of 22 December 1880. However, in February 2024, LongeviQuest received documentation from an independent researcher supporting the claim that Freeman was a full year older than claimed. The evidence indicated that his biological father had passed away by June 1880, the time when the 1880 census record was enumerated, and Freeman was recorded as being 6 months old at that time. Therefore, he couldn’t have been born in December 1880. The study likely used his 1900 census match to validate his age, as it supported his birth in December 1880.
Previously, it was believed that following the passing of 110-year-old titleholder Henri Pérignon on 18 June 1990, he was succeeded by James Wiggins (validated as born on 15 October 1879). However, Wiggins’ age has been disputed since his parents got married after his supposed date of birth, and he was not recorded in the 1880 census record. With Freeman being revealed as a year older at 111 years, 2 days and not 110 years, 2 days, he would have been the next in line for the title upon Pérignon’s passing.
For more information, please view Freeman’s Directory Profile here.
