Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui — Aileen Kars, the oldest living person in New Zealand and the oldest known resident of Oceania, is celebrating her 111th birthday on September 12th. Her birthday was first reported by the NZ Herald.
Kars was born on the farm Burnbrae in Tokomaru, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand, on 12 September 1913. She helped her parents on the farm by milking cows and shearing sheep. She attended Tokomaru School. In her free time, she loved dancing and playing cards. Both her mother and father lived to the age of 92, while her brother lived to 98.
At some point, she married Leslie Kars. The two attended the same school, and their families used to gather to play cards. The couple had two sons, Russell and Graham. They lived on a farm, where they had cows and horses, and she balanced her busy farm duties with raising her children. Her husband passed away in the 1990s, after 54 years of marriage. In 1993, she moved into a retirement community. She gave up driving at the age of 95.
In 2018, at the age of 105, when asked by Stuff about the secret to her longevity, she attributed it to drinking water and having a happy childhood.
On 29 July 2022, following the passing of 110-year-old Joan Brennan, she became the oldest living person in New Zealand.
On 5 June 2024, following the passing of 111-year-old Olga Abate of Australia, she became the oldest living person in Oceania.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mrs. Aileen Kars on her 111th birthday.
