Cugir, Alba County — The oldest (known) living woman in Romania, Noja Paladia, celebrated her 109th birthday on July 20th. Her birthday was first confirmed by the Cugir Info and ProAlba.
Paladia was born on 20 July 1915. She was married for more than 45 years, until her husband died in 1989, at the age of 81. The couple had four children, three of whom are still living, aged 84, 79, and 74. She also has seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She learned tailoring as a young woman but was never formally employed. She made clothes for her four children and sewed for local sheep farmers, who offered milk, cheese, meat, and other foodstuffs in exchange. She had a large garden with trees, where she grew various vegetables and wheat, from which she made her own flour.
Her daughter commented that the secret to her longevity might lie in her diet, as she only consumed products made at home or sourced from local villagers. Additionally, she usually spends her free time reading, particularly history and geography books.
At the age of 109, she is still able to walk around the house, though her hearing and vision have weakened a bit. She commented that the greatest wealth she has accumulated in her century of life is her children and descendants.
Paladia is currently the second-oldest known living person in Romania, after 111-year-old Ilie Ciocan of Vâlcea County.
