Italy: Holder of the record titles for oldest living person and oldest living woman Emma Martina Luigia Morano of Vercelli, Italy has passed away.
Born on 29 November 1899, Emma was the last known person living who was born in the 19th century.
Emma was confirmed as holding both Guinness World Records titles in May last year following research conducted by the Gerontology Research Group.
Raised in Vercelli – the oldest of eight siblings – Emma later moved to Verbania on the shores of Lake Maggiore, Italy where she remained for the majority of her life.
Emma followed the same extraordinary diet for around 90 years – three eggs per day (two raw, one cooked), fresh Italian pasta and a dish of raw meat, only changing her routine within the final years of her life.
Commenting on Emma’s passing, a Guinness World Records spokesperson said: “It is with deep regret and great sympathy that Guinness World Records, the global authority on record-breaking, has learnt of Emma Morano’s passing. She joined our celebrated hall of fame with her amazing achievement when she was announced in 2016 as the Oldest living female, and was officially confirmed as the last person to be born in the 1800s. Guinness World Records is consulting with our expert Gerontologists and will verify the new title holder, subject to evidence review, in due course.”
The oldest person living (male) remains Holocaust survivor Israel Kristal, who celebrated his 113th birthday in September.
