A Spaniard, the oldest man according to the Guinness Book of Records, has died at the age of 114 on the Balearic island of Minorca, local media reported on Saturday.

Joan Ruidavets Moll died from the effects of a cold on Friday night, said his family.

Born on Dec. 15, 1889, Ruidavets spent his entire life working as a cobbler. He once attributed his longevity to the typical Mediterranean diet based on tomatoes, fish and olive oil.

He also benefited from 15 hours of sleep a day and refraining from coffee and alcohol.

The world's oldest person ever was France's Jeanne-Louise Calment, who died on Aug. 4, 1997, living a life of 122 years and 164 days.

(Peopel's Daily  March 7, 2004)