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10 oldest people ever lived in the whole world

ETimes.in | Last updated on - Jan 2, 2026, 12:24 IST
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10 oldest people ever lived in the whole world

Human longevity has always amazed the likes of historians and scientists alike. Though the average life expectancies kept on increasing with time, only a rare few people lived to be more than 115 years old. These very special individuals went through massive changes that history and technology have undergone. According to Guinness World Records, here are ten of the oldest verified people ever recorded, each known not only for their age but also in relation to their unique life stories.



Image Credit: Canva

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Jeanne Calment (France, 21 Feb 1875–4 Aug 1997) – 122 years 164 days

Jeanne Calment has been recorded as the longest-lived human in documented history, having lived through two World Wars and having met artist Vincent van Gogh in her youth. She ascribed her longevity to an active lifestyle, humour, and moderation in life; her mind remained particularly sharp as she entered old age.



Image Credit: Canva

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Sarah Knauss (USA, 24 Sep 1880–30 Dec 1999) – 119 years 97 days

Sarah Knauss had calm nature and never experienced stress on day-to-day incidents. She was one among those who lived across the 19th, 20th, and 20th centuries. According to the doctors, she owed her longevity to the low stressful nature and the regular habit of fast movement in everyday life since she never cared much to stress over happenings occurring around her.



Image Credit: Wikipedia

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Nabi Tajima (Japan, 4 Aug 1900–21 Apr 2018) – 117 years 260 days

Nabi Tajima became the world’s oldest living person in 2017. A resident of Japan’s Kagoshima Prefecture, she lived a quiet life and was part of a large family. Her long life reflected Japan’s strong culture of elder care and traditional lifestyle habits.

Image Credit: Gerontology wiki

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Marie-Louise Meilleur (Canada, 29 Aug 1880–16 Apr 1998) – 117 years 230 days

Marie-Louise Meilleur was a woman of French-Canadian descent who raised twelve children. Her life was spent in rural activities based on family, faith, and hard work. Longevity was generally attributed to her active lifestyle and social connectivity throughout her long, extended life.

Image Credit: Canva

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Violet Brown (British West Indies, now Jamaica, 10 Mar 1900–15 Sep 2017) – 117 years 189 days

Violet Brown was the first verified supercentenarian from Jamaica. She worked as a postmistress for many years and remained independent until late in life. Brown attributed her long life to faith, simple food, and staying mentally engaged.

Image Credit: Wikipedia

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Emma Morano (Italy, 29 Nov 1899–15 Apr 2017) – 117 years 137 days

Emma Morano was the last known person born in the 1800s. Living in Italy, she had survived two world wars. Her diet, which for many years included eggs daily, along with her independence, was often remarked on when referring to the reasons behind her remarkable longevity.

Image Credit: Wikipedia

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Chiyo Miyako (Japan, 2 May 1901–22 Jul 2018) – 117 years 81 days

Miyako was known for her character in gentleness and kindness. Living most of her life in Japan, she enjoyed calligraphy with her family around her. Patience and often a smile, she believed, were the secrets to living long and peaceful.



Image Credit: Gerontology wiki

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Misao Okawa (Japan, 5 Mar 1898–1 Apr 2015) – 117 years 27 days

Misao Okawa was one of Japan’s oldest verified residents and lived to see vast modernization. She enjoyed traditional Japanese meals and regular sleep. Her simple daily habits and relaxed mindset were widely credited for her long life.



Image Credit: Gerontology wiki

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Maria Esther de Capovilla (Ecuador, 14 Sep 1889–27 Aug 2006) – 116 years 347 days

Maria Esther de Capovilla was Ecuador’s longest-lived person. She came from a well-known family and lived an active social life. Even in old age, she remained alert and communicative, impressing many with her memory and grace.


Image Credit: Wikipedia

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Susannah Mushatt Jones (USA, 6 Jul 1899–12 May 2016) – 116 years 311 days

Susannah Mushatt Jones lived in New York City and was once the world’s oldest living person. She worked as a teacher and remained independent for most of her life. Jones often credited her long life to sleep, healthy eating, and avoiding stress.

These remarkable individuals show that longevity is influenced by a combination of genetics, lifestyle, mindset and environment. Though their lives were different, many shared common traits such as resilience, simplicity, and strong social bonds. Their stories remind us that living long is not just about years, but about how life is lived within those years.

Image Credit: Wikipedia
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