Jonathan the tortoise has outlasted another rumour, and picked up a new title along the way.
The Seychelles giant tortoise, already recognised as the oldest living land animal, has been named a Guinness World Records Icon, the organisation said on June 17.
Born before 1832, Jonathan is at least 194 years old. Guinness World Records said that age is a conservative estimate. Jonathan was estimated to have been at least 50 years old in 1882, when he was brought to the South Atlantic island of St Helena.
Guinness said the average life expectancy of his species is 150.
Jonathan the tortoise is officially a Guinness World Records ICON ✨
— Guinness World Records (@GWR) June 17, 2026
Believed to have been born c. 1832, Jonathan is the oldest living land animal at the grand old age of 194 years. He is a Seychelles giant tortoise and the average life expectancy of his species is 150. pic.twitter.com/WqxBrM4Z8H
Jonathan was a gift to the future governor of St Helena, a British Overseas Territory, and has lived on the grounds of the governor’s residence, Plantation House mansion, according to Smithsonian magazine.
In a video posted on X by Guinness World Records, Jonathan appears to give the GWR Icon award a quick glance and then move on. Later, he is seen eating carrots.
Guinness said Jonathan was alive before the first photographs in 1838, before the first telephone calls in 1876 and before the Eiffel Tower was completed in 1887.
Earlier this year, false claims of Jonathan’s death spread on social media as part of April Fools’ Day. Guinness said that did not seem to bother “Ol’ Jono”, as he is known locally.
“He happily spends his days with three other tortoises in the gardens of the Governor’s residence, eating grass and basking in the sunshine,” Guinness said.
Saint Helena Governor Nigel Phillips said Jonathan “has met royalty, starred in wedding photographs, and delighted tourists”.
“He is a symbol of the enduring resilience of this island and its commitment to protecting the environment. It is entirely appropriate that he has as his home the paddock of the Governor’s Residence. He is very much the brightest icon of this jewel in the South Atlantic.”
Guinness said Jonathan joins “a select group of record-holders whose achievements have transcended their field and inspired people across the globe”.
The other Guinness World Records Icons announced on June 17 were John Cena, Shohei Ohtani, Christina Koch, Blackpink, Hilda Baci and Hari Budha Magar.
“We’re proud to call these extraordinary individuals GWR ICONS. Here are record holders who’ve transcended theirrecords to become part of global culture,” Guinness World Records editor in chief Craig Glenday said in the news release.
“It’s not always about celebrating that single superlative moment… with the ICONS, it’s about recognizing and honouring the long-lasting impact these inspirational people leave on the world.”
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