Jeanne Calment – 122 years
Born in 1875, this super-centenarian had the pleasure of meeting Vincent Van Gogh. She credits her longevity to an olive oil rich diet and a calm demeanor, stating, “That’s why they call me Calment.” Interestingly, she claims that she drank port wine and ate over two pounds of chocolate a week.
Jiroemon Kimura – 116 years
Born in 1897, Jiroemon Kimura holds the record for the world’s oldest man that ever lived. He stressed the importance of exercising every day, consuming smaller portions, and maintaining a positive outlook on life. When questioned how he lived so long, he humbly replied, “I could not make it on my own strength. It’s because of the strength of everyone around me.”
Sara Knauus – 119 years
Knauus was born in 1880. She died on December 30th, 1999, just one day shy of experiencing her 3rd century. When her 96 year-old daughter was asked how Knauus has been able to live so long, she simply said, “She’s a very tranquil person and nothing fazes her. That’s why she’s living this long.”
Maria Esther de Capovilla – 116 years
Sharing the same birth year as Charlie Chaplin and Adolf Hitler, Maria Esther de Capovilla was born in 1889. She drank in moderation, ate small-portioned meals, and never smoked. Her daughter Irva attributed her mother’s longevity to her tranquility, “She always had a very tranquil character. She does not get upset by anything. She has been that way her whole life.”
Susannah Mushatt Jones – 116 years
Born in 1899, Jones is one of only two verified living people to have born before the turn of the 19th century. She says that she never drank alcohol, smoked, partied, died her hair, or wore makeup. Additionally, she sleeps at least ten hours a night and naps during the day. Her favorite food? Bacon, which she eats throughout the day.
Emma Morano – 116 years
Ms. Morano, born in 1899, is the only other living person verified to have experienced the 19th century. She is also the oldest Italian person to have ever lived. She believes her long life is due to two reasons: she eats three raw eggs a day and has been single the majority of her life, ever since a 1938 divorce.
Misao Okawa – 117
Okawa was born in 1898 and lived in Japan her entire life. She credits her longevity to sleep and eating delicious food. Two of her favorites were ramen noodles and sushi. When asked how she managed to live so long, she simply replied, “I wonder about that too.”
Gertrude Weaver – 116
Born in 1898, Ms. Gertrude Weaver was one of six children. Her parents were sharecroppers. She credited her trust in God, loving everybody, and hard work as the key components that led to a long healthy life. Additionally, she claimed to have only eaten her own cooking.
Nikola Tesla – 86
Why is Nikola Tesla on the list of the world’s oldest people even though he only lived eighty-six years? Because this man may have experienced more time awake than any other person in modern history. Due to his polyphasic sleep pattern, Tesla is said to have only slept an average of two hours a night, coupled with small naps throughout the day. In addition to his bizarre sleeping habits, Tesla never consumed meat, drank two quarts of milk a day, and eschewed all stimulants including tea and coffee. Featured photo credit: Wikipedia.org via en.wikipedia.org
