What Defines a Supercentenarian?
By definition, a supercentenarian is any person who has been verified to have lived to be 110 or older. While centenarians (those who reach 100) are becoming more common, the supercentenarian population remains remarkably small and is of intense interest to geneticists and gerontologists. The rarity of this achievement suggests a complex interplay of genetic predisposition and environmental factors, a combination that has so far resisted full scientific explanation.
Documenting Extreme Longevity
For a person to be officially recognized as a supercentenarian, their age must be meticulously validated using reliable records such as birth certificates, census data, and other official documents. This process is managed by organizations like the Gerontology Research Group (GRG). This rigorous verification is crucial, as many historical claims of extreme old age have been found to be unreliable upon closer examination. This strict validation process ensures that the records used for research into aging are accurate, providing a solid foundation for scientific study.
Jeanne Calment: The Record Holder
No discussion of extreme longevity is complete without mentioning Jeanne Calment, the French woman with the longest documented human lifespan. Born in 1875, she died in 1997 at the age of 122 years and 164 days. Her life spanned immense technological and societal changes, from the invention of the telephone to the rise of the internet. Calment’s life attracted significant media and scientific attention, especially in her later years. Her personal history offers several interesting anecdotes, such as meeting Vincent van Gogh as a teenager.
Calment’s Lifestyle and Health
Despite her remarkable longevity, Calment's lifestyle was not a model of conventional health advice. She smoked for many years, drank port wine, and enjoyed a diet rich in olive oil and chocolate. She also remained mentally sharp and physically active, cycling until she was 100 years old. Her story highlights that exceptional longevity is not solely dependent on following a perfect health regimen, suggesting that genetics or other, less-understood factors may play a larger role in rare cases of extreme old age.
Other Notable Supercentenarians
While Calment is the most famous, many other individuals have joined the exclusive ranks of supercentenarians. Their stories and backgrounds are diverse, though some common themes often emerge. From the longest-lived man on record to recent figures, their lives provide a wealth of information for researchers.
- Jiroemon Kimura (Japan): The longest-lived verified man, who died in 2013 at 116 years and 54 days. He attributed his long life to eating small portions and staying socially active.
- Sarah Knauss (United States): Lived to be 119 years and 97 days, dying in 1999. She was known for her calm demeanor and focus on family.
- Lucile Randon (France): A Roman Catholic nun known as Sister André, she lived to be 118 years old and survived a COVID-19 infection at 117.
- Kane Tanaka (Japan): Passed away in 2022 at the age of 119, she was the world's oldest living person at the time. She enjoyed board games, math, and fizzy drinks.
The Role of Genetics and Lifestyle
Scientific research into supercentenarians has revealed that while a healthy lifestyle is beneficial, genetics play a powerful role in achieving extreme longevity. Studies have identified genetic markers that are more prevalent in supercentenarians. However, researchers also caution that there is no single “longevity gene,” but rather a combination of many genetic variants with small, cumulative effects.
Comparison of Supercentenarian Traits
| Trait | Jeanne Calment (France) | Jiroemon Kimura (Japan) | Residents of Blue Zones (General) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diet | Olive oil, chocolate, port wine | Small portions, rice, pumpkin | Plant-based, legumes, nuts, whole grains |
| Physical Activity | Cycled until 100, fencing at 85 | Walked, gardening | Walk daily, gardening, manual labor |
| Social Engagement | Lived independently, social visits | Strong family connections | Strong social networks, community ties (moais) |
| Sense of Purpose | Remained mentally active | Called ikigai, or reason to live | Clear plan de vida or ikigai |
Insights from the Blue Zones
For a more accessible look at longevity, researchers have studied the so-called “Blue Zones”—areas where people live measurably longer lives than average. The people in these regions, which include Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), and Nicoya (Costa Rica), may not reach 110 in the same numbers as supercentenarians, but they share common lifestyle traits that contribute to their extended healthspans. These include a plant-based diet, daily natural movement, strong social ties, and a clear sense of purpose. These factors demonstrate that while extreme longevity may have a significant genetic component, a healthy and purposeful lifestyle can dramatically increase one's chances of a long and healthy life.
Conclusion: The Pursuit of a Long Life
Understanding who lived more than 110 years gives us a window into the limits of human biology, but it also provides a framework for healthy aging. While most people will not reach supercentenarian status, studying those who do, along with the broader populations in Blue Zones, can offer practical guidance. For the vast majority, the key to extending not just lifespan but also healthspan lies in adopting the balanced diet, regular activity, social connection, and sense of purpose shared by many of the world's longest-lived people.
Learn more about the fascinating science behind these incredible individuals and regions at the Gerontology Research Group.
