Who is the oldest person to ever live in history?

Jeanne Calment, a French supercentenarian with a documented lifespan of 122 years and 164 days, is officially the oldest person to ever live in history. Her extraordinary life, which spanned from 1875 to 1997, offers a captivating glimpse into the outer limits of human longevity and the factors that contribute to a long, healthy life.

Quick Summary

The verified oldest person in history is Jeanne Calment, a Frenchwoman who lived to be 122 years and 164 days old before her death in 1997. Her life and documented longevity are a testament to the potential of human health, despite some controversy surrounding her record.

Key Points

• Jeanne Calment's Record: Jeanne Calment from France lived for 122 years and 164 days, holding the record for the longest documented human lifespan.

• Lifestyle Contradictions: Calment's health habits included smoking, drinking wine, and eating chocolate, which goes against much modern health advice.

• Scientific Scrutiny: Her extreme longevity led to intense scrutiny and even a debunked identity fraud theory, but her record was re-validated based on extensive documentation.

• Factors of Longevity: Longevity is influenced by a combination of genetics, lifestyle, diet, and social connections, with no single 'secret' to a long life.

• Top Longevity Holders: While Calment is the all-time record holder, other supercentenarians, including Kane Tanaka and Jiroemon Kimura, have also achieved extraordinary ages.

• Validation is Complex: The verification of extreme age, especially from a century ago, is a challenging process that relies on multiple documented sources.

The extraordinary life of Jeanne Calment

Born in Arles, France, in 1875, Jeanne Louise Calment is recognized by the Gerontology Research Group and Guinness World Records as the person with the longest confirmed human lifespan. Her life stretched across three centuries and saw her witness incredible changes, from the invention of the telephone to the rise of the internet. Calment was known for her quick wit, active lifestyle, and a surprisingly lenient approach to diet and habits, including enjoying chocolate, port wine, and even smoking until her later years.

Early life and key milestones

Calment was born into a prosperous family, which afforded her a life of relative ease. She pursued hobbies like tennis, fencing, and cycling throughout her younger years. Her longevity was a family trait; her father lived to 93 and her mother to 86. A fascinating historical footnote is her childhood encounter with artist Vincent van Gogh at her uncle's fabric shop, whom she famously described as "dirty, badly dressed and disagreeable".

• Born: February 21, 1875, in Arles, France.
• Marriage: Married her wealthy cousin, Fernand Calment, in 1896.
• Lost her family: Outlived her husband, daughter, and grandson.
• Notable appearance: Appeared in the 1990 film Vincent and Me at age 114, making her the oldest person to ever appear in a motion picture.
• Death: Passed away on August 4, 1997, at 122 years and 164 days old.

The controversy and validation of her age

In 2018, her record came under scrutiny from Russian researchers who proposed that Calment's daughter, Yvonne, had assumed her mother's identity in 1934 to avoid inheritance taxes. This theory was widely covered in the media, but robust counterarguments and existing documentation ultimately led to the reaffirmation of her record by longevity experts. The exhaustive validation process included fourteen census records that supported her birth year, and her life story was well-documented by multiple sources.

Factors in Calment's longevity and broader research

While Calment's story suggests a combination of genetics and an active, low-stress lifestyle, her personal habits challenge conventional wisdom. Researchers continue to study supercentenarians and the broader factors influencing longevity, which include:

• Genetics: While not the sole factor, genetics play a significant role, as seen in the familial longevity of Calment.
• Diet: The Mediterranean diet is often cited as beneficial for longevity, though Calment's diet was famously unconventional.
• Lifestyle: Regular physical activity, avoiding smoking (or quitting early), and managing stress are key controllable factors.
• Social connections: Strong social networks and community involvement are consistently linked to longer lifespans.

Comparing Jeanne Calment with other record holders

While Jeanne Calment holds the overall record, other supercentenarians have also achieved extraordinary ages. The top verified individuals represent a fascinating cross-section of global longevity.

Rank	Name	Age at Death	Location	Notes
1	Jeanne Calment	122 years, 164 days	France	Oldest person ever whose age has been verified.
2	Kane Tanaka	119 years, 107 days	Japan	Second-oldest verified person ever.
3	Sarah Knauss	119 years, 97 days	United States	Longest-lived American ever.
4	Lucile Randon	118 years, 340 days	France	Second-longest-lived French person.
Oldest Man	Jiroemon Kimura	116 years, 54 days	Japan	Oldest verified man ever.

Conclusion: The human quest for longevity

Jeanne Calment's remarkable life stands as a beacon for human longevity, but it also underscores the complexity of living to such an extreme age. Her record, though debated, remains the benchmark for extreme human lifespan and continues to inspire scientific inquiry into the secrets of aging. While her individual lifestyle choices may seem contradictory to modern health advice, her story emphasizes the interplay of genetics, mental resilience, and perhaps a bit of luck in achieving an exceptionally long life. The study of supercentenarians like Calment pushes the boundaries of our understanding of the aging process and offers tantalizing clues for future research on extending the healthy human lifespan.

Visit the Gerontology Research Group for more information on verified oldest people.

Frequently Asked Questions

What evidence verifies Jeanne Calment's record as the oldest person?

Jeanne Calment's age was meticulously verified by a team of demographers and gerontologists using numerous French census records, parish registers, notarial documents, and extensive interviews to confirm her birth date. The verification process is considered one of the most solid for a supercentenarian.

Was there any controversy surrounding Jeanne Calment's age?

Yes, in 2018, a Russian researcher published a theory suggesting that Calment's daughter, Yvonne, had assumed her identity decades earlier. This claim was refuted by the original team that validated her age and was not supported by compelling evidence.

Who is the oldest person alive today?

As of late 2024, the title of the oldest living person changes frequently. It is best to check with a reliable source like the Gerontology Research Group for the most current information, as records are often updated upon a new validation or death.

Do genetics determine how long a person will live?

Genetics play a role in longevity, but they are not the only factor. Research suggests that a combination of genetic predisposition, lifestyle choices, diet, environment, and social connections all contribute to a person's lifespan.

What is a 'supercentenarian'?

A supercentenarian is a person who has reached the age of 110 or more. The Gerontology Research Group tracks and validates these individuals' ages based on specific criteria to ensure accuracy.

Did Jeanne Calment have any children?

Yes, Jeanne Calment had one daughter, Yvonne, who tragically died in 1934 at age 36. Calment also outlived her grandson.

What can we learn about healthy aging from the oldest people in history?

Studying supercentenarians offers insights into the extremes of human aging. While their lives vary, common threads often include an ability to manage stress, a purpose-driven life, social engagement, and an element of genetic fortune. Their stories show that the path to longevity is complex and not always perfectly aligned with standard health advice.