In a world where job-hopping every few years is the norm, one man’s story stands apart as a masterclass in endurance, loyalty, and adaptability. Walter Orthmann, a Brazilian textile worker, transformed a teenage stopgap job into a career that spanned more than eight decades earning him a Guinness World Record and global admiration.
Orthmann began his journey in 1938 at just 15 years old, when he joined Indústrias Renaux in Brusque, southern Brazil. His tenure lasted an astonishing 84 years and nine days, making him the longest-serving employee in history. On April 19, 2022, he turned 100, celebrating not just a birthday but a lifetime of dedication alongside coworkers, local leaders, and clients.
Starting out in the shipping department, Orthmann’s quick thinking and fluency in German helped him stand out. Within a few years, he moved into sales, where he eventually rose to management, overseeing client relationships that became central to the company’s business. The company itself evolved over time, today it operates under the name RenauxView, continuing a legacy that stretches back over a century.
For Orthmann, staying in one place never meant standing still. Over the decades, he navigated dramatic shifts: from handwritten ledgers to computerized supply chains, from local trade to the demands of a globalized market. Colleagues remember him as a mentor and a steady leader who guided more by listening than commanding. His lifestyle was marked by simple habits: early mornings, daily walks, and an unwavering readiness to meet each day’s challenges.
Orthmann’s record-breaking career was also enabled by Brazil’s labor laws. While public servants face compulsory retirement at 75, private-sector employees like Orthmann can continue working past pension age if they choose. This flexibility allowed him to remain active long after many of his peers retired.
When asked for his secret, Orthmann’s advice was disarmingly simple: stay curious, keep learning, and do what you enjoy. What began as a teenager’s effort to support his family became a story of resilience, community, and passion for work. His record is more than a number, it’s a reminder that meaning in work comes from the way one adapts and contributes over time.