Naomi Whitehead, America’s Oldest Person, Turns 116

Naomi Whitehead, the oldest living person in the United States, and the second-oldest person globally, is celebrating her 116th birthday today in Greenville, Pennsylvania.

Naomi Whitehead was born Naomi Washington on a farm in Georgia, United States on 26 September 1910. She began helping her family at an early age by picking cotton and tobacco. The farm also had horses, and even at the age of 113, she remembered being afraid of getting kicked by them. In 1930, she married Sylvester Whitehead. The couple had 3 sons: Parrish L. (1933-2011), Elbert and Sylvester.

On 22 October 2024, following the death of 115 years-old Elizabeth Francis, she became the Oldest Living Person in the United States, at the age of 114 years, 26 days.

On 10 February 2026, following the passing of Marie-Rose Tessier (France), she became the second-oldest living person, behind only Ethel Caterham (UK).

Whitehead’s family marked her 116th birthday with a large celebration that also served as a family reunion, drawing relatives from across the United States. The party was organized by two of her local grandchildren and was attended by approximately 80 to 90 people, including several of Whitehead’s great-great-great-grandchildren.

The gathering also gave the extended family an opportunity to preserve its history. One relative, a great-niece, spent the celebration collecting family stories and histories from those in attendance.

Family members wore matching blue shirts created especially for the occasion. The front featured photographs of Whitehead alongside a gold “116,” while the back identified each person’s relationship to her, with descriptions including “granddaughter,” “great-niece,” and even “great-niece’s husband.”

Whitehead herself wore the most radiant blue of all, dressed in a sparkling blue outfit for her milestone birthday.

She was greeted enthusiastically upon entering the celebration and remained at the party for nearly two hours. Early in the gathering, Whitehead posed for a large group photograph with her assembled relatives before taking additional photographs with smaller individual family groups.

Representatives of LongeviQuest were also in attendance and presented Whitehead with a plaque recognizing her as the Oldest Living American. A local Pennsylvania state senator, Michele Brooks, attended the celebration as well and presented a proclamation in her honor.

The front of the room featured photographs spanning Whitehead’s life, while additional photographs of her were reproduced on her large birthday cake.

Guests shared a home-style meal that included chicken, ham, green beans, macaroni and cheese, pasta with meatballs, baked beans, and punch prepared by Whitehead’s granddaughter. Whitehead appeared to particularly enjoy both the food and the punch.

One of the most memorable moments of the afternoon came when one of Whitehead’s great-nieces asked her, “How old are you, Auntie?”

“I think I’m 116,” Whitehead replied.

The room immediately erupted in cheers.

Although understandably tired after the festivities, Whitehead appeared to enjoy the celebration and the opportunity to be surrounded by generations of her family. After the proclamation honoring her was read, she retired upstairs to her room while her relatives continued the family reunion and birthday celebration.

LongeviQuest extends its warmest congratulations to Naomi Whitehead and her family on her extraordinary 116th birthday.