This article is more than

8 year old

116-Year-Old Italian Woman Named World’s Oldest Living Person by Guinness

Author: ABC's GMA
May 17, 2016 at 12:59
At 116 years and 169 days old, Emma Martina Luigia Morano of Vercelli, Italy, is now the world’s oldest living person.

The Guinness Book of World Records confirmed the news on Monday -- just days after the previous title holder, Susannah Mushatt Jones, died in her New York home at the age of 116 years, 6 months and 6 days, after falling ill, the Associated Press reported.

The new record, now held by Morano, was verified thanks to research conducted by the Gerontology Research Group, according to Guinness.

30-Year-Old Siamese Cat Named World's Oldest by Guinness

104-Year-Old Great-Grandpa World's Oldest Person to Receive First Tattoo

112-Year-Old Holocaust Survivor Named Oldest Man in the World

Credit: Splash News

Born on Nov. 29, 1899, Morano is believed to be the last person living born in the 19th century.

She was raised in Vercelli and has lived in the same small apartment ever since. The super-centenarian loves her home, her collection of watches and her big bed, according to Guinness.

Morano is the eldest of eight children, five daughters and three sons, according to L'Italo-Americano.org.

Credit: Splash News

Morano married in 1926 and had a child, but experienced a terrible loss when he tragically died at 6 months old. In 1938, she left her husband and never married again.

“The oldest living person record category continues to capture the world’s collective imagination,” said Marco Frigatti, head of records for Guinness. “Ms. Morano has experienced things first hand that will soon be consigned to memory, and the record books. She can teach us all a lesson of the value of a life well lived.”

Credit: Oliver Morin/AFP/Getty Images

In 2011, Morano was involved in a worldwide study on the secret to her longevity, conducted by George Church for Harvard Medical School of Boston.

As for her diet, Morano has followed the same routine for around 90 years -- three eggs per day (two raw, one cooked), fresh Italian pasta and a dish of raw meat.

Morano also holds the record for the world’s oldest living woman and is six years younger than the oldest person to ever live -- Jeanne Calment of France, who lived until 122 years and 164 days, Guinness said.

The current oldest living man is 112-year-old Holocaust survivor, Israel Kristal of Haifa, Israel.


Keywords
You did not use the site, Click here to remain logged. Timeout: 60 second