Alive And Kicking The 20 Oldest Living Humans In History

Alive And Kicking The 20 Oldest Living Humans In History explores the extraordinary lives of people who lived beyond a century and witnessed remarkable changes across generations. From record-breaking lifespans to inspiring personal journeys, these individuals experienced wars, cultural transformations and unforgettable moments. Their stories reveal fascinating details about family, faith, daily habits, and the experiences that shaped their long lives. Discover the remarkable journeys of these exceptional individuals and explore what makes their longevity so fascinating. 

Living Life To The Fullest

The passage of time affects everyone differently, but a rare few have simply kept going across continents and eras. These individuals have lived on through shifting worlds and far outlasted expectations, experiencing changes beyond anything anyone could have imagined. A closer look at the oldest documented lives in human history reveals extraordinary examples of living life to the fullest. Their journeys highlight how one human lifespan can witness remarkable changes across generations.

The experiences of long-lived individuals offer valuable insights into longevity, survival, and aging. Exceptional longevity raises questions about how some people achieve an extended life beyond the average life expectancy of their generation. Although the human lifespan depends on genetics, environment, and other factors, these remarkable lives help researchers understand the possibilities and limits of human aging. The oldest living humans continue to fascinate people with their extraordinary journeys through history.

1. Jeanne Calment (122 years, 164 days)

Jeanne Calment, often described as the longest-living soul in verified human history, holds the record for the longest confirmed human lifespan. Born in France in 1875, she lived through major historical changes, including two world wars, witnessing how society and everyday life transformed over more than a century. Her extraordinary longevity made her an enduring example of the limits of humanity and the remarkable possibilities of human aging.

Throughout her long life, Calment reportedly met Vincent van Gogh during her youth and maintained an independent lifestyle well into old age. She reportedly cycled during her younger years and remained active for much of her life, attracting worldwide attention for her remarkable longevity. Although people sometimes say she laughed at death, her documented record reflects a verified age of 122 years and 164 days, making her the oldest recognized person in history.

2. Kane Tanaka (119 years, 107 days)

Kane Tanaka, one of the most celebrated figures in longevity history, lived for 119 years and 107 days, becoming a symbol of resilience and national pride in Japan. Throughout her life, she experienced remarkable changes in society while maintaining interests such as calligraphy and enjoying treats like cola. She also survived cancer and ran a noodle shop with her husband, demonstrating determination through different stages of her long life.

In 2021, Tanaka was celebrated as a potential torchbearer for the Tokyo Olympics, but she withdrew because of concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Her passing in April 2022 ended an era for admirers of exceptional human longevity and marked the loss of one of the world’s oldest verified people. Her remarkable journey remains an important chapter in longevity history, illustrating a life shaped by perseverance, personal experiences, and extraordinary age.

3. Sarah Knauss (119 years, 97 days)

Sarah Knauss, remembered for her remarkable combination of grace and grit, lived so long that she saw three different centuries unfold before her eyes. Born in 1880 in Pennsylvania, she experienced extraordinary changes in society while maintaining a calm and cheerful personality. She reportedly never let anything upset her and this relaxed outlook became a memorable part of her story as the world’s oldest person, reaching an age of 119 years and 97 days.

Throughout her later years, Knauss enjoyed simple activities, including quietly knitting, while her extraordinary age attracted international attention. Rather than seeking the spotlight, she preferred a peaceful routine and valued the comfort of familiar surroundings. Her life offers a fascinating example of exceptional longevity, showing how a person can witness generations of change while maintaining personal habits and a composed outlook. Her record remains an important milestone in the history of the world’s longest-lived individuals.

4. Lucile Randon (118 years, 340 days)

Lucile Randon, widely known as Sister André, was a French nun whose remarkable longevity made her one of the oldest verified people in history. This teacher-turned-Sister spent decades in religious service, dedicating much of her life to helping others before eventually residing in a French nursing home. Her story gained worldwide attention after she became known for surviving COVID-19 at the age of 116, an extraordinary event that highlighted her resilience during a challenging period.

In her later years, Randon became blind and wheelchair-bound, yet she maintained a meaningful daily routine shaped by faith and familiar traditions. She played music, prayed daily, and followed a structured lifestyle that reflected the steady rhythm of her long life. Her experiences demonstrate how religious devotion, personal discipline, and social connections can remain important in old age, even when physical abilities decline. Her life continues to stand out in the history of exceptional human longevity.

5. Nabi Tajima (117 years, 260 days)

Nabi Tajima, who lived for 117 years and 260 days, became the world’s oldest person in 2017 and represented an extraordinary example of longevity in Japan. Born on a small Japanese island, she spent most of her life surrounded by family and local traditions, raising children and later witnessing descendants across several generations. Her long life reflected the social and cultural changes that transformed Japan during the twentieth century, making her story a fascinating part of human longevity history.

Tajima’s daily diet reportedly included traditional Japanese foods such as rice, miso soup, and small fish, which formed part of her familiar eating habits. Although longevity ran in her family, with several siblings also reaching advanced ages, researchers cannot attribute her exceptional lifespan to diet or genetics alone. Her experience offers an interesting glimpse into how family connections, cultural traditions and individual circumstances can shape a long life, especially when someone has lived past the average life expectancy of multiple generations.

6. Marie-Louise Meilleur (117 years, 230 days)

Marie-Louise Meilleur lived for 117 years and 230 days, becoming one of the oldest verified people in Canadian history. During her long life, she lost two husbands and outlived four children, enduring personal tragedies that would have challenged anyone. Despite these hardships, she reportedly joked that she was too busy to die, reflecting the humor and determination that became part of her story. She spoke only French and spent much of her life in French-speaking communities in Quebec and Ontario.

Meilleur followed a vegetarian diet late in life, and some accounts associated her longevity with simple eating habits and a lifetime of hard work. She believed that staying active and keeping busy helped her maintain a steady routine, although no single habit can explain an exceptional lifespan. Claims about supplements should be treated cautiously because there is no strong evidence that they were responsible for her longevity. She passed peacefully in 1998, leaving behind a remarkable story of endurance, family loss, and extraordinary age.

7. Violet Brown (117 years, 189 days)

Violet Brown, who lived for 117 years and 189 days, became one of the oldest verified people in history and a remarkable figure on the global longevity map. Born in Jamaica, she often credited hard work and faith for helping her through life, believing that physical activity and determination had built her bones and kept her strong. Alongside her family responsibilities, she managed a burial registry, a job that reflected her connection to the local community and its traditions.

Brown attended church weekly, and her religious faith remained an important part of her daily routine throughout her long life. In April 2017, she became the oldest living person in the world following the death of Emma Morano, earning international recognition for her record-breaking age. She was also the last living subject born under British rule in Jamaica, making her life historically significant beyond her longevity. Her experiences offer a personal perspective on how work, community ties, and faith shaped her remarkable journey.

8. Maria Branyas Morera (117 years, 168 days)

Maria Branyas Morera lived for 117 years and 168 days, defying the odds through major historical events, including World War II and a global pandemic. Born in the United States, she moved to Spain when she was young and witnessed extraordinary changes across generations. Her remarkable lifespan made her one of the oldest verified people in history.

During her final years, Branyas lived in a Catalan care home and shared insights about aging and life through social media. With her daughter’s help, she communicated her thoughts and attracted worldwide attention. Her experiences offered a unique perspective on longevity, personal well-being, and life across more than a century.

9. Emma Morano (117 years, 137 days)

Emma Morano lived for 117 years and 137 days, saw three centuries, and held the title of the world’s oldest person before her death in 2017. Born in a small town in Italy, she received tributes from global leaders for her extraordinary lifespan. Her remarkable journey reflected more than a century of historical and social changes.

Morano separated from her husband in 1938 and swore by independence, choosing to live life on her own terms. She famously credited her daily habit of eating raw eggs, along with her simple routine, for her longevity. Although her personal beliefs attracted attention, her exceptional age remains a unique part of human longevity history.

10. Chiyo Miyako (117 years, 81 days)

Chiyo Miyako lived for 117 years and 81 days, earning national attention as Japan’s oldest citizen. Known as a lover of elegance and tradition, she was praised for her refined handwriting and gentle manners. Her long life reflected the cultural values and changing generations of Japanese society.

While residing in Japan, Miyako remained closely connected to her family, who cherished her presence and often called her a living treasure. Her remarkable age brought recognition beyond her local community, making her an important figure in the history of human longevity.

11. Christian Mortensen (115 years, 252 days)

Christian Mortensen, born in Denmark, migrated to the U.S. and led a quiet life working as a tailor and milkman. He lived for 115 years and 252 days, becoming the oldest verified man at the time of his death in 1998. His long journey reflected a lifetime of work, independence, and changing generations.

Mortensen never drank alcohol but famously swore by cigars, an unusual habit that attracted public curiosity. Known for his sense of humor and straightforward personality, he remained a memorable figure in longevity history. Although his personal habits cannot explain his exceptional lifespan, his story continues to fascinate researchers and readers interested in the oldest people ever documented.

12. Misao Okawa (117 years, 27 days)

Misao Okawa lived for 117 years and 27 days, witnessing Japan’s transformation from an empire into a modern global power. She ran a kimono business, raised children, and experienced dramatic cultural and technological changes throughout her lifetime. Her extraordinary age attracted international attention, with reporters eager to learn the secret behind her longevity.

Okawa often credited eating sushi and getting plenty of sleep as important parts of her routine. She also enjoyed family visits, finding comfort in spending time with loved ones. Although these habits cannot fully explain her remarkable lifespan, her story highlights the importance of personal routines and family connections in the lives of exceptionally long-lived individuals.

13. Francisca Celsa Dos Santos (116 years, 349 days)

Francisca Celsa Dos Santos lived in a modest Brazilian home and lived quietly for much of her life. She made history through her remarkable age and raised her children while experiencing generations of change. Her extraordinary lifespan brought attention to her region and made her story notable in the study of human longevity.

The documents associated with her life were consistently recorded, although verifying exceptional ages can present an administrative rarity. Such records helped validate important details of her life and establish her reported age. Her story highlights why reliable documentation is essential when recognizing exceptionally long-lived individuals.

14. Maria Capovilla (116 years, 347 days)

Maria Capovilla lived for 116 years and 347 days in Ecuador, experiencing a lifestyle that connected her to high society events and traditional tea rituals. During her early life, her father was a colonel, and she grew up in a comfortable environment. She never touched alcohol or tobacco, habits often mentioned in accounts of her long life.

Capovilla reportedly kept her mind sharp through daily reading and maintained familiar routines well into old age. She briefly held the world’s oldest person title in 2006, gaining international recognition for her remarkable lifespan. Her passing away later that year marked the end of an extraordinary life that spanned more than eleven decades.

15. Susannah Mushatt Jones (116 years, 311 days)

Susannah Mushatt Jones, nicknamed “Miss Susie,” was born in Alabama in 1899 and later settled in New York, where she lived for most of her adult life. She supported young Black women entering college by helping provide scholarships, reflecting her commitment to education and community support. Although she had no children, she built meaningful connections with relatives and people around her.

Jones credited love and rest as important parts of her life, while her remarkable longevity brought international recognition. She lived to 116 years and 311 days, becoming the world’s oldest living person in 2015. Her story remains a notable example of longevity, generosity, and the lasting impact of supporting others.

16. Gertrude Weaver (116 years, 276 days)

Gertrude Weaver lived through the turn of the century and spent her later years in Arkansas, where she remained socially active and connected with others. She enjoyed spending time with people, and reports described her welcoming hundreds of visitors as her remarkable age attracted attention. Her long life reflected generations of change and made her a notable figure in longevity history.

Weaver enjoyed dancing and gentle exercise, activities that formed part of her approach to staying engaged in daily life. In April 2015, she briefly held the title of the world’s oldest living person before passing away at 116 years and 276 days. Her story highlights the importance of social connections and personal interests in maintaining an active lifestyle during old age.

17. Besse Cooper (116 years, 100 days)

During her youth, Besse Cooper witnessed major social changes, including the movement for women’s suffrage, as women marched for equal voting rights. A former schoolteacher, she devoted years to education before settling into a quieter life in Georgia. Her experiences spanned more than a century, making her a remarkable example of human longevity.

Cooper lived independently for much of her life and attributed her long life to minding her own business and avoiding unnecessary trouble. She was recognized as the world’s oldest living person in 2011 and spent her later years in a nursing home. She passed away peacefully in 2012 at 116 years and 100 days, leaving behind a memorable legacy of longevity.

18. Jiroemon Kimura (116 years, 54 days)

Jiroemon Kimura lived longer than most people, reaching 116 years and 54 days to become the oldest verified male in recorded history. Born in Japan, he worked as a postman before retiring and spending more time with his family. His remarkable age attracted international attention, highlighting his place in the history of human longevity.

After retirement, Kimura reportedly followed a calorie-restricted diet and stayed mentally active through reading and everyday activities. His extraordinary lifespan earned him widespread recognition, including handwritten congratulations from the Emperor of Japan. His life remains a notable example of exceptional longevity, although no single diet or habit can fully explain how someone reaches such an advanced age.

19. Jeralean Talley (116 years, 25 days)

Jeralean Talley lived for 116 years and 25 days, and her life in Michigan was shaped by family traditions, fishing trips, and church Sundays. She also enjoyed bowling in her younger years, staying connected with activities that brought joy to her daily routine. Her remarkable longevity attracted worldwide attention and earned her recognition as the world’s oldest person in 2015.

Talley credited God, clean living, and inner strength for guiding her through life’s challenges. She remained close to her family and community, celebrating meaningful moments even in old age. She passed away in June 2015, just weeks after her birthday, leaving behind a remarkable story of faith, resilience, and exceptional longevity.

20. Dina Manfredini (115 years, 257 days)

Dina Manfredini was originally from Italy and later moved to the United States, where she built a life centered on family and hard work. During World War II, she worked in a munitions factory while raising her children as a mother. Her experiences reflected the challenges faced by many immigrant families during a period of major global change.

Manfredini lived independently well into old age and continued cleaning her home, maintaining an active daily routine. In December 2012, she briefly held the title of the world’s oldest person before her passing at 115 years and 257 days. Her remarkable journey remains a memorable example of resilience, independence, and exceptional longevity.

Conclusion

Alive And Kicking The 20 Oldest Living Humans In History highlights the extraordinary lives of people who lived beyond a century and witnessed remarkable changes across generations. Their stories reveal the importance of family, faith, independence, and personal habits in their long journeys. Although genetics and lifestyle may influence longevity, no single factor guarantees an exceptionally long life. These remarkable individuals leave behind inspiring stories that deepen our understanding of aging, survival, and human history.

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