Albanian woman, 117, may be world's oldest person if her birth date is verified

Centre · 2Qamile Marra, a 117-year-old woman living in the village of Ferras in Albania, may be the world's oldest living woman, according to a report by AFP. 1 2 Centre · 2Several official documents list her birth date as 19 August 1909, which would make her two days older than Britain's Ethel Caterham, whom Guinness World Records recognises as the world's oldest living woman. 1 2 Centre · 2Her relatives have contacted Guinness World Records and hold a birth certificate issued in 1945, a passport issued in 1978 and a recent identity card, all showing the same date of birth. The claim has not been verified by Guinness. 1 2

Centre · 2Proving the age of people over 110 can be difficult. A study that won the 2024 Ig Nobel prize pointed to poor recordkeeping and suspected pension fraud in some places known for very old residents. 1 2 Centre · 2Her age once caused problems with officials. Her 80-year-old son Hysen said authorities stopped her pension when she turned 100 because they did not believe she was alive, and he had to submit evidence, including witness statements, to restore the payments. Earlier this month the government gave her a special state pension in recognition of her age. 1 2 Centre · 2Marra has lived almost her whole life in the village, growing food and tending livestock. She rises early to sweep the yard, water flowers and feed chickens, has coffee, and walks through her orchard with her son, who lives with her. Her son says she has never visited a doctor or taken medication. 1 2

Centre · 2Her husband died 36 years ago; she describes their arranged marriage as a happy one. She had seven children and has seen five generations of her family. She told AFP, "Life is beautiful, like Mount Tomorr in bloom," and "You live as long as God has decreed." 1 2