Guinness World Records (GWR) on Wednesday confirmed that Brazilian Maria Gomes Valentim has received the title of the ‘Oldest Living Person’ aged 114 years and 313 days.
Maria was born on July 9, 1896, in Carangola, Brazil where she lived all her life. She has one son, four grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and five great-great- grandchildren.
She is 48 days older than the previous titleholder, Besse Cooper from Monroe, Georgia, United States, whose title will now be the ‘Oldest Living North American,’ GWR said on its website.
Valentim attributed her longevity to a healthy diet. She is still able to eat completely on her own and sometimes treats herself with a glass of wine.
“To receive a claim from a woman born during the reign of Queen Victoria – before the Ford Motor Company was formed… – is remarkable in itself, but for that woman to be Brazilian makes it extra special. Never has a successful claim for longevity emerged from Brazil,” said GWR Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday.
RIO DE JANEIRO, May 19 (RIA Novosti)