Age is just a number and these 30 individuals are proof that it’s possible to live a long, fulfilling life. From ancient times to the modern era, people all around the world have lived into their 100s and beyond.
1. Jeanne Calment – 122 years and 164 days
French supercentenarian Jeanne Calment holds the record for the longest verified lifespan, living to an incredible 122 years and 164 days. Born in 1875, Calment witnessed the birth of the Eiffel Tower and the completion of the Channel Tunnel.
2. Sarah Knauss – 119 years and 97 days
America’s oldest living citizen, Sarah Knauss was born in 1880 and lived to the age of 119 years and 97 days. She attributed her long life to a diet of oatmeal, bananas, and prayer.
3. Nabi Tajima – 117 years and 260 days
Nabi Tajima was the world’s oldest living person at the time of her death in April 2018, aged 117 years and 260 days. She was a native of Japan and lived her entire life on the island of Kikaijima.
4. Violet Brown – 117 years and 189 days
Violet Brown, also known as “Aunt V” was the oldest Jamaican ever and the oldest verified person in the world for a brief period in 2017. She passed away in September that year, at the age of 117 years and 189 days.
5. Emma Morano – 117 years and 137 days
The last person alive who was born in the 1800s, Emma Morano lived to 117 years and 137 days. She attributed her long life to a diet of three raw eggs a day and no meat since 1911.
6. Chiyo Miyako – 117 years and 81 days
Chiyo Miyako was the oldest person in Japan, having lived to the age of 117 years and 81 days. She held the title for less than a year before passing away in July 2018.
7. Misao Okawa – 117 years and 27 days
Another Japanese supercentenarian, Misao Okawa held the title of oldest living person in the world from June 2013 until her death in April 2015. She lived to the age of 117 years and 27 days.
8. Jiroemon Kimura – 116 years and 54 days
Japan’s oldest-ever man, Jiroemon Kimura held the title of oldest living person in the world from December 2012 until his death in June 2013. He lived to the age of 116 years and 54 days.
9. Christian Mortensen – 115 years and 252 days
Christian Mortensen was a Danish-American supercentenarian who lived to the age of 115 years and 252 days. He attributed his longevity to a diet of cod liver oil, which he took daily.
10. Misao Murayama – 114 years and 271 days
Misao Murayama was Japan’s longest-lived man on record, having lived to the age of 114 years and 271 days. He passed away in 2015 after a life spent farming and raising silkworms.
11. Gertrude Weaver – 116 years and 276 days
Gertrude Weaver was the oldest living person in the United States at the time of her death in April 2015. She lived to the age of 116 years and 276 days and credited her long life to laughter and being pleasant.
12. Tane Ikai – 116 years and 175 days
Tane Ikai was another Japanese supercentenarian who lived to the age of 116 years and 175 days. She was a teacher and loved both calligraphy and poetry.
13. Kane Tanaka -116 years and counting
Kane Tanaka is a Japanese woman who is currently the oldest living person in the world. As of 2021, she is 118 years old and still going strong, having attributed her long life to a love of mathematics and her faith.
14. Yone Minagawa – 114 years and 221 days
Yone Minagawa was Japan’s oldest-ever person before passing away in 2007 aged 114 years and 221 days. She had five children and was known for her love of painting and poetry.
15. María Capovilla – 116 years and 347 days
María Esther Heredia Lecaro de Capovilla was an Ecuadorian supercentenarian who lived to the age of 116 years and 347 days. She attributed her longevity to a healthy diet and love of music.
Related Article
The 30 most long-lived individuals
16. Elizabeth Bolden – 116 years and 118 days
Elizabeth Bolden was the oldest living person in the world for a brief period in 2006, having lived to the age of 116 years and 118 days. She was born in Tennessee and had three children.
17. Susannah Mushatt Jones – 116 years and 311 days
Susannah Jones was an American supercentenarian who lived to the age of 116 years and 311 days. She attributed her long life to regular sleep and a healthy diet of bacon, eggs, and grits.
18. Bernice Madigan – 115 years and 279 days
Bernice Madigan was an American woman who lived to be 115 years and 279 days old. She was known as the “Tent Lady” due to her love of camping and outdoor activities.
19. Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper – 115 years and 62 days
Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper was a Dutch supercentenarian who set an unusual record for having the oldest ever human brain. She lived to the age of 115 years and 62 days and donated her brain to scientific research after her death.
20. Lucy Hannah – 117 years and 248 days
Lucy Hannah was an American supercentenarian who lived to be 117 years and 248 days old. She was born in Alabama and attributed her long life to a healthy lifestyle and a strong faith.
21. Chiyono Hasegawa – 116 years and 278 days
Chiyono Hasegawa was a Japanese supercentenarian who lived to the age of 116 years and 278 days. She passed away in 2011 and was known for enjoying a cup of milk every morning.
22. Adelina Domingues – 114 years and 347 days
Adelina Domingues was Portugal’s oldest-ever person, having lived to the age of 114 years and 347 days. She attributed her longevity to a diet of fish and vegetables and a love of gardening.
23. Florence Knapp – 114 years and 326 days
Florence Knapp was a survivor of the 1912 sinking of the Titanic and one of the oldest passengers to have survived the disaster. She went on to live for 114 years and 326 days.
24. Goldie Steinberg – 114 years and 294 days
Goldie Steinberg was a survivor of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City and went on to live to the age of 114 years and 294 days. She was known for her love of fashion and her sharp wit.
25. Marie-Louise Meilleur – 117 years and 230 days
Marie-Louise Meilleur was a Canadian supercentenarian and the oldest person in Canada’s history. She lived to the age of 117 years and 230 days and was known for her love of gardening and storytelling.
26. Eva Morris – 114 years and 312 days
Eva Morris was an English supercentenarian who lived to the age of 114 years and 312 days. She was born in 1885 and attributed her long life to a healthy diet and a love of singing.
27. Antisa Khvichava – 132 years and 167 days
Antisa Khvichava was a Georgian woman who claimed to have been born in 1880, meaning she would have lived to the age of 132 years and 167 days.
Although her age has not been officially verified, she was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest person ever at the time of her death in 2012.
28. Kimura Uichi – 116 years and 160 days
Kimura Uichi was a Japanese supercentenarian who lived to the age of 116 years and 160 days. He was a former postman and attributed his longevity to a healthy diet of fish and vegetables.
29. Maria de Jesus – 115 years and 114 days
Maria de Jesus was a Portuguese supercentenarian who lived to the age of 115 years and 114 days. She was born in 1893 and attributed her longevity to a love of bread and wine.
30. Hendrikje van Andel – 115 years and 62 days
Hendrikje van Andel was a Dutch supercentenarian who lived to the age of 115 years and 62 days. She was known for her love of knitting and had 30 great-great-grandchildren by the time of her death.
