The course of human history is marked by countless stories of remarkable individuals who have defied the boundaries of time and age, leaving an indelible mark on the world. In this intriguing exploration, we embark on a journey through the lives of ten extraordinary women who have earned their place in the annals of longevity. These women, hailing from various corners of the globe and spanning different eras, stand as a testament to the incredible potential of human resilience and the mysteries of aging. From their early years to their later decades, we delve into the exceptional stories of the ten oldest women ever to have graced our world, celebrating their achievements and the wisdom they imparted through their extraordinary lifespans.
The List of the 10 Oldest Women to Ever Live
10. Delphia Welford
117 years old
Lifespan: September 9, 1875-November 14, 1992
Age: 117 years, 66 days
Residence: United States
Delphia S. Welford (September 9, 1875-November 14, 1992), claims her place as an American supercentenarian with her age authenticated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG). Although Delphia initially asserted her birthday as September 9, 1881, thorough research conducted by the Gerontology Research Group established her actual birth year as 1875. Until her passing, she proudly held the title of the oldest verified living person in the United States, a testament to her extraordinary longevity, and she now ranks as the tenth-oldest validated person ever recorded.
Born to Richard and Heddie Welford, Delphia’s early years unfolded in Humboldt, Gibson, Tennessee, where her family relocated when she was still a child. During the late 1890s, she welcomed her son, Leo Mathis, into the world, and her unwavering dedication to her family was evident in her choice not to marry. Throughout her life, she resided in Humboldt, where she embraced the role of a homemaker and maintained her membership at the Lane Chapel C.M.E. Church.
Delphia Welford’s legacy is exceptional, as she currently stands as the oldest validated individual ever born in the U.S. state of Mississippi, the oldest validated person to have passed away in the U.S. state of Tennessee, the most senior validated African-American person in recorded history, and the second-oldest validated individual from the United States.
9. Chiyo Miyako
117 years old
Lifespan: May 2, 1901-July 22, 2018
Age: 117 years, 81 days
Residence: Japan
Chiyo Miyako (May 2, 1901-July 22, 2018), held the esteemed title of a validated Japanese supercentenarian. From April 2018 until her peaceful passing three months later, she enjoyed the distinction of being the world’s oldest living person. Additionally, she currently ranks as the ninth-oldest validated person in recorded history and holds the honorable position of the third-oldest Japanese person to have ever lived. Her validation by the Gerontology Research Group occurred on August 3, 2015, affirming her remarkable age.
Miyako’s journey began in 1901 in the town of Yuasa, where she assumed the role of the fourth of five children. Her unique family circumstances, marked by the early loss of her older siblings, resulted in her upbringing as the de facto eldest child, alongside her younger brother. After completing her primary education, she pursued advanced studies at a telegraph school in Osaka, aspiring to become a telegraph operator. It was during her time in Osaka that she crossed paths with her future husband, Shoji.
Even at the age of 100, Miyako’s participation in a Japanese centenarian study revealed her robust physical condition and cognitive vitality, showing no signs of dementia during cognitive assessments. Remarkably, at 110, her mental faculties remained sharp, allowing her to continue pursuing her passions, which included calligraphy and crafting haiku poetry. By the age of 114, she was actively engaged in these creative pursuits.
8. Emma Morano
117 years old
Lifespan: November 29, 1899-April 15, 2017
Age: 117 years, 137 days
Residence: Italy
Emma Martina Luigia Morano-Martinuzzi (November 29, 1899-April 15, 2017) emerges as an Italian supercentenarian of extraordinary distinction. She was designated as the last verified survivor born in the 1800s prior to her passing. Notably, she holds the title of the oldest validated Italian person in recorded history, and her legacy positions her as the eighth-oldest validated person ever documented, with the remarkable achievement of reaching 117 years of age, a distinction shared with only two other European supercentenarians.
In 1926, Morano embarked on a marital journey with Giovanni Martinuzzi, a partnership that began when she was 27 and he was 25. Their union bore fruit with the birth of a son in 1937, although their joy was tragically short-lived, as the child passed away just six months after birth. The relationship between Morano and Martinuzzi faced challenges, leading to their separation, even though they remained formally married until his demise. Remarkably, Morano attributed her longevity to a simple and healthful lifestyle, noting that she never relied on drugs, maintained a daily diet of three eggs, and enjoyed an occasional glass of homemade brandy. Throughout her working years, she contributed to society’s fabric, first laboring in a jute factory and later working as a cook in a school cafeteria until her well-earned retirement in 1974, when she reached the age of 74.
Emma Martina Luigia Morano’s family tree boasted a history of remarkable longevity, with her mother, aunt, and several siblings reaching the age of 90. Of special note, her sister Angela Morano achieved a remarkable 102 years of life, placing Angela and Emma among the oldest known living siblings in Italy until Angela’s eventual passing.
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7. Violet Brown
117 years old
Lifespan: March 10, 1900-September 15, 2017
Age: 117 years, 189 days
Residence: Jamaica
Violet Brown (March 10, 1900-September 15, 2017) earned her the distinction of being the world’s oldest living person at the time of her passing, with her age fully authenticated by an organization specializing in age validation. She also holds the all-time age record for Jamaica and possesses a unique connection as the last known subject of Queen Victoria, the British Monarch.
Born as Violet Henrietta in the quaint town of Duanvale, situated in Trelawny Parish, Jamaica, she shared her life with three siblings. At one juncture, she entered into marriage with Augustus Gaynor Brown, and their union brought forth six children – four sons and two daughters. Violet embarked on a diverse career, working as a domestic helper, a farmer, and a dressmaker. Her journey took a poignant turn in 1978 when she became a widow following Augustus’s passing.
Upon reaching her 110th birthday, reports indicated that, apart from some deafness, Violet remained in good physical health. She expressed not feeling her age and attributed her extraordinary longevity to her faith in God, deep respect for her parents, diligent hard work, and a diet that included coconut sauce. Her cherished pastimes included attending church, reading books, and delighting in the beauty of music.
6. Marie-Louise Meilleur
117 years old
Lifespan: August 29, 1880-April 16, 1998
Age: 117 years, 230 days
Residence: Canada
Marie-Louise Meilleur (August 29, 1880-April 16, 1998), holds the distinguished title of the verified Canadian longevity record holder. At one point in her extraordinary journey, she reigned as the oldest living person globally, and her legacy continues as the 6th-oldest validated person in history.
Born as Marie-Louise Febronie Chasse in Kamouraska, Quebec, she had family roots that traced back to Native American ancestry. At the age of 20, she entered into a union with Étienne Leclerc. Unfortunately, she endured the heartbreak of losing her husband, two children, and both her parents in the span of 1911 and 1912. In the face of these tragedies, Meilleur relocated to the rural Ontario border. In 1915, she embarked on a new chapter by marrying Hector Meilleur and welcoming six more children into her life.
Marie-Louise’s resilience was evident as she lived in a wooden house without electricity and hot water until the 1950s. Although some sources suggest she followed a vegetarian diet, this remains unconfirmed. Notably, she continued to smoke tobacco until her 90s. Meilleur attributed her remarkable longevity to the values of hard work, cherished memories, the support of her family, her sense of humor, and unwavering faith in God. Astonishingly, even at the age of 110, she retained the ability to walk without any assistance.
5. Nabi Tajima
117 years old
Lifespan: August 4, 1900-April 21, 2018
Age: 117 years, 260 days
Residence: Japan
Nabi Tajima (August 4, 1900-April 21, 2018), achieved the distinction of becoming the world’s oldest validated individual at the time of her passing. She also held the honorable title of being the fifth-oldest verified person ever, as confirmed by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG). Additionally, she briefly held the position of Japan’s oldest living person, a testament to her extraordinary longevity.
Tajima’s birthplace was Araki, which was once part of Wan Village. In her later years, she resided in Kikai on the same island. As she celebrated her 117th birthday in 2017, her family tree had blossomed with nine children, 28 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren, 64 great-great-grandchildren, and an astonishing 14 great-great-great-grandchildren.
Tajima’s legacy endures as the second-oldest validated Japanese individual in history and the fifth-oldest verified person worldwide.
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4. Lucile Randon
118 years old
Lifespan: February 11, 1904-January 17, 2023
Age: 118 years, 340 days
Residence: France
Lucile Randon, known as Sister Andre (February 11, 1904-January 17, 2023) achieved the remarkable age of 118 years and 340 days, earning the title of the world’s oldest validated living person, as acknowledged by Guinness World Records, until her peaceful passing.
Born as one half of a twin pair, her sister, Lydie Randon, departed at the tender age of 17 months. Sister Andre was raised in a Protestant family but embraced Catholicism at the age of 19. At 40, she embarked on her spiritual journey as a nun within the congregation of the Sisters of Saint-Vincent-de-Paul in Paris. Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to education and caregiving, working as a teacher and governess for various families, including the renowned Peugeot family, founders of the French car manufacturer. In the midst of World War II, she lovingly tended to children in need.
Sister Andre’s lifelong commitment to the nunhood spanned over 75 years, making her the world’s oldest living nun and the oldest recorded nun in history. She held the distinction of being the second-oldest French citizen and the second-oldest European on record.
3. Sarah Knauss
119 years old
Lifespan: September 24, 1880-December 30, 1999
Age: 119 years, 97 days
Residence: United States
Sarah DeRemer Knauss (September 24, 1880-December 30, 1999), held the title of the world’s oldest living person until her own passing in 1999. Her remarkable age of 119 years makes her the third-oldest validated person in recorded history, and she stands as one of only two Americans known to have reached the age of 117.
In 1901, she married Abraham Lincoln Knauss, and the couple had a single child, Kathryn Sullivan. Longevity appears to run in Knauss’s family, as her paternal grandmother lived to the age of 98, and her cousin Minnie Kresge reached 105 years. Furthermore, her daughter, Kathryn Sullivan, enjoyed a life lasting 101 years.
Knauss spent her later years living with her daughter, beginning at the age of 96, and eventually relocated to a nursing home at the age of 111. Remarkably, even at 118, she maintained the ability to engage in meaningful conversations with her daughter.
2. Kane Tanaka
119 years old
Lifespan: January 2, 1903-April 19, 2022
Age: 119 years, 107 days
Residence: Japan
Kane Tanaka (January 2, 1903-April 19, 2022), was a Japanese supercentenarian. Remarkably, at the age of 119 years and 107 days, she secured the second-oldest documented age in history, confirmed by the Gerontology Research Group. Throughout her life, Tanaka held the prestigious title of being the world’s oldest validated living person according to Guinness World Records. She also claimed the record for the longest-lived Japanese individual whose age was validated by the GRG.
Tanaka’s early childhood unfolded during the waning years of the Meiji period, which concluded when she was nine years old. In 1922, she entered into a marriage with Hideo Tanaka, a union arranged before they had the chance to meet. The couple, who later adopted a fifth child, raised four children together.
Tanaka found joy in various activities such as calligraphy, composing poetry, engaging in games like Othello, and solving math problems. She possessed a sweet tooth for chocolates and had a fondness for soft drinks, notably Coca-Cola and Oronamin C. Notably, Tanaka attributed her remarkable longevity to her strong faith in God.
1. Jeanne Calment
122 years old
Lifespan: February 21, 1875-August 4, 1997
Age: 122 years, 164 days
Residence: France
Jeanne Louise Calment (February 21, 1875-August 4, 1997), holds the record for the longest confirmed lifespan in recorded history, living a remarkable 122 years and 164 days, totaling 44,724 days. The scientific community extensively documented her exceptional longevity, producing more records to validate her age than any other case.
In 1896, she married Fernand Calment, a prosperous store owner. His financial means afforded Jeanne a life free from work, enabling her to lead a leisurely lifestyle. She pursued various hobbies, including tennis, cycling, swimming, roller skating, playing the piano, and enjoying opera.
Jeanne Calment’s extraordinary longevity first gained public recognition when she reached the age of 113. She captured the world’s attention by claiming to have encountered Vincent van Gogh, who passed away in 1890, when she was just 13 years old. This remarkable claim led to her appearance in the 1990 film “Vincent and Me,” where she portrayed herself, securing her place as the oldest person ever to grace the silver screen.
Conclusion
As we conclude this remarkable journey through the lives of the ten oldest women to ever grace our world, we’re left with a profound appreciation for the depth of human resilience and the potential of longevity. These extraordinary individuals, each with her unique story, have not only defied the limits of time but also enriched our understanding of aging and the human spirit. Their lives, spanning different corners of the globe and eras, serve as a testament to the indomitable will of the human soul, reminding us that age is but a number. The legacy of these women endures, inspiring us to embrace the possibilities of a longer, more meaningful life and to cherish the wisdom that comes with each passing year. In their stories, we find a powerful reminder that the journey of life is to be celebrated at every stage, and the lessons of these remarkable women continue to guide us toward a future where the boundaries of age are ever-expanding.
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