The final farewell to a bygone era
For many, the idea of someone living through two different centuries is a source of fascination. We are currently in the 21st century, and the thought of speaking to someone who experienced life in the 1800s feels like a step back in time. While the hope of a hidden centenarian capturing a slice of history remains, the official records tell a different story. The last verified person born in the 19th century was Emma Morano, an Italian woman who was born in 1899 and passed away in 2017. Her death marked the end of an era, leaving the 20th and 21st centuries to a new generation. Her long life spanned incredible change, from horse-drawn carriages to the internet.
The last verified link: Emma Morano
Emma Morano was born on November 29, 1899, in Civiasco, Italy. Her life and health were documented by the Gerontology Research Group, which tracks and verifies the world's oldest living people. When she died on April 15, 2017, aged 117 years and 137 days, she was not only the world's oldest living person at the time but also the last verified person born in the 1800s. She lived through:
- Two World Wars
- Over 20 US Presidencies
- The invention of the aeroplane
- The first wireless radio transmission
- The rise of the internet
Morano lived independently until she was 110, moving to a nursing home shortly before her 117th birthday. Her long-held secret to longevity included eating three raw eggs a day and remaining single for most of her life, a recommendation from a doctor when she was a teenager. Her story underscores the profound passage of time and the incredible advancements in human health and society that occurred within a single lifetime.
The all-time record holder: Jeanne Calment
While Emma Morano was the last, the overall record holder for the longest documented lifespan is Jeanne Calment of France. Born on February 21, 1875, she lived to be 122 years and 164 days old, passing away on August 4, 1997. Her incredible life and age have been meticulously verified and studied. The story of her life provides a fascinating look into the extremes of human longevity and the health of supercentenarians. Calment's longevity is a testament to the fact that while Emma Morano was the final person from the 19th century, others before her lived even longer, leaving a lasting impression on the study of aging.
What are the claims of unverified longevity?
Throughout history, there have been numerous claims of people living to extraordinary ages, often exceeding the verified record held by Jeanne Calment. These individuals are typically not officially recognized by reputable bodies like the Gerontology Research Group because their ages lack independent verification through historical documents. Common reasons for invalidation include insufficient or forged birth certificates, or a simple lack of corroborating evidence. While fascinating, such stories do not meet the strict criteria required to be considered factual in scientific and demographic studies.
Comparing the 19th-century supercentenarians
| Feature | Emma Morano | Jeanne Calment | Sarah Knauss | Marie-Louise Meilleur |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Year | 1899 | 1875 | 1880 | 1880 |
| Death Year | 2017 | 1997 | 1999 | 1998 |
| Age at Death | 117 years, 137 days | 122 years, 164 days | 119 years, 97 days | 117 years, 230 days |
| Country | Italy | France | United States | Canada |
| Significance | Last person verified to be born in the 19th century | Oldest verified person ever | One of the longest-lived Americans | A notable supercentenarian |
The science of extreme longevity
Studying supercentenarians like Emma Morano and Jeanne Calment provides invaluable insights into the biological and environmental factors that contribute to extreme longevity. Researchers look at genetics, lifestyle, and a person's environment to understand why some individuals live significantly longer than the average. For instance, the longevity gene hypothesis explores genetic markers that might be linked to extended lifespans, but much remains unknown. In contrast, public health improvements have drastically increased overall life expectancy since the 19th century, making it more common for people to reach older ages than ever before. However, living past 110 remains exceptionally rare and is not something that public health advancements alone can fully explain.
A reflection on history
The lives of these supercentenarians are more than just a matter of biological record; they are living testaments to history. Their passing means that an entire century of personal experiences, stories, and connections is now beyond living memory. We are reliant on books, archives, and digital media to connect with the 19th century, no longer having the possibility of a direct, living link. Their stories serve as a powerful reminder of how much the world has changed and the precious nature of firsthand history.
In conclusion, while it's a common and curious question, the answer is definitively no—there is no one from the 19th century still alive. The era officially closed for living memory with the passing of its final verified survivor, Emma Morano, in 2017. Her story, alongside that of the record-breaking Jeanne Calment, reminds us of the fragility and wonder of human life and the rapid march of time. The quest for understanding extreme longevity continues, but the living connection to the 1800s is now a part of history. The field of longevity research continues to evolve, as documented by organizations like the Gerontology Research Group.
