Notable Individuals Who Lived to 115
Reaching 115 years old places an individual in an exceptionally rare category of longevity. The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) and Guinness World Records maintain lists of verified cases, providing a glimpse into the lives of these supercentenarians. Among the many who have achieved this milestone, a few stand out for various reasons, from their status as the world's oldest living person at the time to their remarkable life stories.
Elizabeth Francis
Born in 1909, Elizabeth Francis became a celebrated "Houstonian icon" and the oldest person in the U.S. before her death in October 2024 at age 115. Her legacy is intertwined with her unwavering faith and advice to be kind to others, a sentiment she lived by throughout her life. Francis's life spanned an incredible period of history, from her birth under President William Howard Taft to the advent of smartphones. Her longevity was also a family affair, as her sister lived to be 106. A former coffee shop owner at a local TV station, Francis remained an active community member even in her final years.
Ethel Caterham
As of May 2025, British citizen Ethel Caterham was recognized as the world's oldest living person at 115 years old, a title she held after the passing of Brazilian supercentenarian Inah Canabarro Lucas. Born in 1909, Caterham's life has been filled with travel and adventure. At 18, she worked as a nanny for a British family in India for three years. She later married a military officer and lived in places like Gibraltar and Hong Kong. Her secret to a long life, she famously stated, is to "never arguing with anyone" and doing what she likes. At 115, she was the last surviving person born in the 1909s.
Christian Mortensen
Born in Denmark in 1882, Christian Mortensen was one of the few men to join the ranks of supercentenarians. He died in California in 1998 at the age of 115 years and 252 days. A Danish immigrant, his long life and verified age made him the oldest man on record for a time. His journey from Europe to the United States highlights the global nature of supercentenarian demographics.
Dina Manfredini
Dina Manfredini, an Italian-American supercentenarian, died in 2012 at the age of 115 years and 257 days. At the time of her death, she was the oldest person in the world for a brief period. Her life reflected the immigrant experience, as she was born in Italy in 1897 before moving to the United States. She was known for her hard work and living a life that spanned significant world events.
Global List of Supercentenarians
The list of people who have reached or surpassed 115 years old is extensive and spans many continents. While the majority are women, there have been a few male supercentenarians as well. The following lists some of the notable individuals who have been verified as living to 115 or beyond, based on data from organizations like the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) and LongeviQuest.
Notable Supercentenarians Who Reached at Least 115
- Jeanne Calment (1875-1997): The longest documented human lifespan ever, at 122 years and 164 days. A French supercentenarian, she is the gold standard for longevity verification.
- Sarah Knauss (1880-1999): An American supercentenarian who lived to 119 years and 97 days.
- Lucile Randon (1904-2023): Lived to be 118 years and 340 days old in France.
- Nabi Tajima (1900-2018): A Japanese supercentenarian who lived to 117 years and 260 days.
- Maria Branyas (1907-2024): The world's oldest living person at the time of her death, she lived to 117 years and 168 days.
- Emma Morano (1899-2017): An Italian woman who lived to 117 years and 137 days and was the last verified person born in the 1800s.
- Marie-Louise Meilleur (1880-1998): A Canadian supercentenarian who lived to 117 years and 230 days.
Lifestyle Factors of Supercentenarians: A Comparison
While genetics undoubtedly play a significant role in exceptional longevity, researchers have also studied the lifestyle and environmental factors of these individuals. A comparison of a few notable 115+ supercentenarians reveals both similarities and unique differences in their approach to life.
| Feature | Elizabeth Francis (U.S.) | Ethel Caterham (U.K.) | Christian Mortensen (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dietary habits | Ate fresh food from her garden; cooked for herself. | No specific dietary rules mentioned. | No specific dietary rules mentioned. |
| Lifestyle choices | Active church member, ran a coffee shop, never smoked or drank. | Traveled extensively, drove until age 97. | Reportedly did not smoke. |
| Secret to longevity | Strong faith in God, treating people with kindness, and speaking her mind. | "Never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like". | No notable quotes or philosophies mentioned. |
| Family support | Lived with her daughter and was cared for by her granddaughter. | Lived in a care home in her later years, with family nearby. | Lived in a retirement home and later a nursing home. |
What We Can Learn from Their Stories
The lives of these remarkable individuals demonstrate that extreme longevity is a complex phenomenon influenced by a mix of genetics, lifestyle, and a positive mindset. While many factors are beyond our control, some common themes emerge when studying supercentenarians.
- Genetic predisposition: The fact that longevity often runs in families, as seen with Elizabeth Francis's sister living to 106, suggests a strong genetic component.
- Low-stress lifestyle: The advice from Ethel Caterham to avoid arguments and from Francis to treat people well highlights the importance of managing stress and maintaining positive relationships.
- Simple, active life: Many supercentenarians lead relatively simple, active lives, with fresh food and engagement in their communities. Their habits often prioritize stability and routine over extravagance.
- Supportive environment: A strong family or community support system is a recurring theme, providing not just care but also a sense of purpose and belonging in their final years.
Conclusion
To answer the question, "who lived to be 115 years old?", the response is not a single person, but a select group of extraordinary individuals whose lifespans have been verified by careful research. Recent examples, such as the late Elizabeth Francis of the U.S. and the current oldest living person Ethel Caterham of the U.K., remind us that these stories are still being written. While their lives varied, they often shared a combination of fortunate genetics, a positive outlook, and a supportive social network. Their existence continues to fascinate and push the boundaries of what is possible for the human lifespan, offering precious insights into the mysteries of aging and longevity. Research into their lives, facilitated by organizations like the GRG, continues to shed light on what it takes to join this exclusive club of supercentenarians. For more information on validated supercentenarians and their stories, see the official Gerontology Research Group website at https://grg-supercentenarians.org/.
