World’s oldest woman celebrates another birthday

Emma Morano has reached a new milestone: 117. She is the oldest person in the world, as certified by the Guinness World Records.  

"My word, I'm as old as the hills," Morano reportedly said when she was crowned the world's oldest.  Morano was born Nov. 29, 1899, and lives in an apartment on Lake Maggiore in Northern Italy. She credits her longevity to being single, going to bed early, eating two raw eggs and cookies every day, avoiding meat and drinking brandy.

The former factory worker and cook is said to be alert but is deaf, speaks with difficulty and cannot see well enough to watch TV. Morano's doctor, Carlo Bava says she has had a regimented diet for decades and been relatively healthy all her life. "Emma has always eaten very few vegetables, very little fruit. She has never wanted to go to (the) hospital, she's never received any particular (health) care. She's suffered from a bit of bronchitis, had a (blood) transfusion and some stitches but always at home."

Morano is a few years shy of the current record for oldest living person. That honor belongs to Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to be 122

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.