Grace Gatt, the oldest living resident of Malta, celebrates her 109th birthday today, 30 January, according to the Times of Malta.
Gatt was born on 30 January 1916. She grew up in a large house in Valletta with her parents and paternal grandparents. Her grandfather, Joseph Howard (1862–1925), became Malta’s first prime minister when she was five and passed away when she was nine.
In 1940, she married Alfred Gatt, whom she had met through friends who invited her to join a carnival company. A year into their marriage, they were forced to evacuate Valletta when it became too dangerous and relocated to Mosta. Later, they settled in Sliema, where they raised their two sons. She was widowed at 61.
Grace is an avid opera enthusiast. She also has a deep interest in Russian history and culture. According to her son, her cautious nature may have contributed to her longevity, as she believes in moderation and avoiding unnecessary risks.
On 23 December 2024, following the passing of 112-year-old Maria Farrugia, the nation’s oldest person ever, Gatt became the oldest living resident of Malta, at the age of 108 years, 328 days. However, she is not the oldest living Maltese-born person, as that title belongs to Theresa Ryan, a resident of Devon, England, who turned 110 in June 2024. Gatt is only the third person in Malta confirmed to have reached the age of 109.
LongeviQuest extends warm congratulations to Grace Gatt on her 109th birthday.
