Normand Tousignant, an American man, has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest first-time grandfather. He earned this title after meeting his only granddaughter, Madison, at the age of 92 years and 24 days.
Record-Breaking Grandfatherhood
Tousignant, born on August 29, 1930, became a grandfather for the first time on September 22, 2022, in Matthews, North Carolina, when Madison was born. She is the only child of his only child, Kerry. The recognition was confirmed in a report published by Guinness World Records on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The record was formally celebrated at Tousignant's 96th birthday party in August, four years after Madison's birth. At the celebration, he unveiled his certificate alongside Madison, and reports say the two wore matching record-holder T-shirts.
Family Connection and Life Changes
Kerry said the relationship between her father and her daughter had revitalised his life. The family later moved closer together, with Tousignant relocating from the Washington, DC suburbs to the Charlotte area to be near them.
Madison, who is now four, calls him "Pépère," the informal French word for grandfather. The family only applied for the record after a cousin of Kerry's sent her a newspaper article about the previous holder. They said it sounded like "too fun of an opportunity to miss."
Previous Record and Other Records
The previous record belonged to Australian Charles Smith, who was 91 years and 209 days old when his granddaughter Isla was born on August 29, 2025. UPI reported his title in April 2026.
Guinness World Records also lists the oldest first-time grandmother as Marianne Wallenberg of the United States, who was 95 years and 82 days old when her first grandson was born in 2008, as reported by WJW.
