The Recent Claim: Qiu Chaishi of China
In early 2025, several international news outlets reported on Qiu Chaishi, a woman from Nanchong City, Sichuan province, China, who was said to have turned 124 on January 1,. Her age is reportedly listed in China's hukou household registration system, a form of state-issued identification. Born in 1901 during the Qing dynasty, her life has spanned enormous historical changes.
Qiu's story captivated many due to her resilience and seemingly simple approach to a long life. She faced significant hardships, including a famine during her youth and the deaths of her husband and son. Despite these tragedies, her family describes her as having an optimistic, positive attitude and a good sense of humor. She jokingly remarked that the King of Hell must have forgotten about her.
Qiu's Reported Longevity Secrets
- Simple, Disciplined Lifestyle: She maintains a consistent daily routine, eating three meals a day, walking after each meal, and going to bed early around 8 p.m..
- Dietary Habits: A favorite dish is a porridge made with pumpkin, winter melon, and corn, often with a spoonful of lard, though she now consumes it in moderation.
- Mental Acuity: Even past the age of 100, she remained mentally sharp despite some decline in her vision and hearing.
- Positive Outlook: A peaceful and optimistic attitude is widely seen as a major factor in her long life.
The Unverified Claim of Francisca Susano
Another person who made headlines with a claim to be 124 was Francisca Susano, a woman from the Philippines. In November 2021, when city officials in Kabankalan, Philippines, announced her death, they stated she was believed to be the world's oldest person at 124, with her age pending verification by Guinness World Records. Her age was never officially confirmed by international record keepers, but her story, like Qiu Chaishi's, inspired many. The ongoing investigation highlights the difficulty and time-consuming nature of independently validating such extreme longevity claims.
Jeanne Calment: The Oldest Verified Person Ever
The longest fully authenticated human lifespan on record belongs to Jeanne Calment of France. Born in 1875, she lived to be 122 years and 164 days old before her death in 1997. Her case was rigorously authenticated by demographic experts, and she remains the benchmark for extreme longevity. Her longevity claim was investigated and verified by independent bodies, unlike the more recent unconfirmed reports. The fact that even the most thoroughly vetted case only reached 122 adds significant skepticism to claims of 124 or older without corroborating evidence.
Jeanne Calment's life was also remarkable for its longevity and quality of life. She famously rode a bicycle until she was 100 and lived independently until 110. Her long life was not without debate, with some researchers questioning her age in 2018, though the original validating team stood by their work.
The Importance of Age Verification
In the realm of extreme longevity, reports of people living past 115 are extremely rare and require robust documentation from birth to death. The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) and Guinness World Records are the leading authorities that track and verify these claims. Their process involves cross-referencing multiple historical documents, a task made challenging by poor record-keeping in many parts of the world a century ago. Unverified reports, often driven by local pride or media hype, lack this crucial independent verification. This is why stories like Qiu Chaishi's and Francisca Susano's are reported with caveats about their unconfirmed status, while Jeanne Calment's remains the authenticated record,.
Comparison of Extreme Longevity Claims
| Feature | Qiu Chaishi | Francisca Susano | Jeanne Calment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claimed Age | 124 | 124 | 122 years, 164 days |
| Birth Year | 1901 | 1897 | 1875 |
| Status | Recent unverified claim (as of 2025) | Deceased (2021); unverified claim | Deceased (1997); verified record |
| Verification Source | Chinese hukou system | Awaiting Guinness verification at time of death | Independent demographic experts, Guinness World Records |
| Location | Nanchong, Sichuan, China | Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, Philippines | Arles, France |
| Reported Secrets | Porridge, walks, positive outlook | Unconfirmed, focus on her inspiration status | Laughter, optimism, active lifestyle |
Conclusion
The question of who is the 124 year old woman leads to stories that are fascinating but ultimately unverified by the highest standards of longevity research. While Qiu Chaishi's recent claim and Francisca Susano's earlier one highlight the resilience of the human spirit, the official benchmark for the longest-lived human remains Jeanne Calment at 122. True extreme longevity is far rarer than most people believe and requires verifiable documentation that withstands expert scrutiny. The real lessons from these stories often lie not in a specific number, but in the power of a positive mindset and a disciplined lifestyle, no matter how long one lives. You can learn more about the world's oldest people and the verification process at the official Guinness World Records site: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/oldest-person.
Exploring the Science of Supercentenarians
Beyond individual stories, the science of studying supercentenarians offers clues into what enables a person to live so long. Research points to a combination of genetics, lifestyle, and environment. While genetics can provide a predisposition, they are not the sole determinant. Lifestyle factors like a healthy diet, moderate exercise, and stress management play a significant role in extending healthspan, the number of years a person lives in good health. Regions known as "Blue Zones," with high concentrations of centenarians, emphasize social connections, plant-based diets, and consistent physical activity. The stories of Qiu Chaishi and Jeanne Calment, though with different verification statuses, both underscore the importance of these non-genetic factors.
