No, there is no verified case of anyone living to be 137 years old
No individual has been officially verified by organizations like the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) to have lived to 137 years of age. While historical claims exist, they often lack sufficient documentation. A prominent example is Chief John Smith, an Ojibwe elder reported to have died at 137 in 1922. However, evidence suggests he was likely born closer to the 1820s, making him around 100 at the time of his death due to unreliable birth records for Native Americans of that era.
The tale of Chief John Smith
Chief John Smith of Minnesota was widely considered the oldest Native American due to claims of his 137-year lifespan, supported by his appearance and anecdotes. However, verifying his age was difficult due to the absence of reliable birth records from that period. His own memory of being a child during the 1833 Leonid meteor shower suggests a birth year around 1823–1826, placing his age at death nearer to 96–99. He also gained fame selling postcards in his later years, which may have contributed to age exaggeration.
Other unverified longevity claims
History includes numerous unverified claims of individuals living to extreme ages, such as Shirali Muslumov (168) and Thomas Parr (152). These accounts often predate modern record-keeping and are not scientifically validated.
The verified human longevity record holder
The longest officially verified human lifespan belongs to Jeanne Calment of France.
- Life and death: Born February 21, 1875, Jeanne Calment died August 4, 1997, at 122 years and 164 days old.
- Meeting Van Gogh: She famously met Vincent van Gogh in her youth.
- Record verification: Her age was thoroughly confirmed by experts using census records, family documents, and other evidence.
Although Russian researchers raised questions about possible identity fraud in 2018, French studies have largely refuted these claims, reaffirming the original verification.
The scientific and demographic perspective on maximum human lifespan
Scientific and demographic studies examine the potential limits of human lifespan using data, contrasting with anecdotal claims.
Scientific vs. anecdotal maximum lifespan
| Feature | Scientific Consensus (Based on Verified Records) | Unverified Longevity Claims (e.g., 137 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Data Source | Birth certificates, census records, church records, family documents, and other public records. | Oral history, personal claims, anecdotes, and poor or non-existent birth records. |
| Current Limit | The verified record stands at 122 years, 164 days (Jeanne Calment). | Claims far exceed verified records, with some stories reaching over 150 years. |
| Upper Bound Theory | Some models suggest a biological cap near 125-150 years, while others suggest no fixed limit but an exponential decline in survival probability past 110. | Based on folklore and personal accounts rather than a scientific framework. |
| Verification Process | Rigorous cross-referencing and authentication by demographic experts and organizations. | Often impossible due to lack of historical documentation or discrepancies in available information. |
| Medical Context | Supercentenarians are a highly selected group of very robust individuals who have survived all major life-threatening diseases, though they are not immune to typical age-related ailments. | These stories often attribute extreme old age to specific diets, isolated lifestyles, or other anecdotal factors. |
Projections for the 21st century
Projections suggest a high probability that the current longevity record will be broken this century, but reaching 137 remains statistically very unlikely. A 2021 study estimated a near 100% chance of the 122-year record being surpassed by 2100, a 68% chance of someone reaching 127, and only a 13% chance of reaching 130. Living to 135 was deemed “extremely unlikely”.
Conclusion
No one has been officially verified to have lived to 137 years old. Claims of such extreme age are generally unverified historical accounts or folklore. The record for the longest confirmed human lifespan is held by Jeanne Calment at 122 years. While scientific progress may extend average life expectancy, a lifespan of 137 years remains unconfirmed and highly improbable based on current data and verification standards.
Why verifying longevity is so difficult
Accurately verifying extreme old age is challenging, especially for historical claims where birth records were often inaccurate or absent. Modern verification by groups like the GRG requires multiple forms of evidence, which many older claims lack, leading to their classification as longevity myths. Widespread systematic record collection is relatively recent, complicating the authentication of earlier claims.
The scientific pursuit of extreme longevity
Scientific research into aging continues to explore extending the human lifespan. While average life expectancy is rising, and the number of centenarians is growing, a significant increase in the maximum lifespan beyond current records has not occurred. Research into the factors contributing to supercentenarian longevity continues, but the age of 137 remains a theoretical threshold beyond verified human experience.
