BIOGRAPHY

Ángeles de la Fuente Campo was born in San Justo de los Oteros, Castile and León, Spain, on 24 March 1912. She was the second of twelve children born to Cayetano de la Fuente García and Valeria Campo Martínez, though many of her siblings passed away in infancy. The family soon relocated to Grajalejo de las Matas due to her father’s work as a blacksmith; he was brought there by the wealthy Piñanes family, who were influential in the town. As the eldest daughter, she also took on the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings. She had a lifelong love of reading, which she enjoyed until her eyesight began to fail her. She was also passionate about music, a love she inherited from her father, who played the clarinet and the dulzaina in a band. At the age of 12, she moved to León to learn household chores and sewing from the Trinitarian nuns. Shortly afterward, she began working in the home of Hipólito Romero and Emilia Bueno, whom she came to consider her second family after spending six years with them.

At the age of 22, she married José Nicolás Rodríguez in the church of San Marcelo. During the Spanish Civil War, while her husband was at the front, she earned a living by doing domestic chores and sewing trousers. At the time, she had two sons, José and Cayetano. After her husband returned from the war, he served an additional four years in the military. The couple later had twin daughters, but sadly, both passed away—one as an infant and the other, named Carmina, at nine years old.

When asked about the secret to longevity, she said it’s important to enjoy life, but also to endure hardships with patience—and to keep singing and dancing.

Angeles de la Fuente Campo passed away at the Armunia public nursing home in Armunia, Castile and León, Spain, on 28 December 2023 at the age of 111 years, 279 days. She is survived by her son Cayetano, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

On 23 October 2023, following the passing of Avelina Lorenzo Berián, she became the oldest living person in the autonomous community of Castile and León, at the age of 111 years, 213 days. Upon her own passing two months later, she was succeeded by Teresa Fernandez Casado.

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Ángeles de la Fuente celebra su 109 cumpleaños con una fiesta sorpresa en la residencia de Armunia” – ILEON, 24 March 2021

* “«El secreto de mis 110 años es la paciencia y cantar y bailar»” – Diario de León, 25 March 2022

* “Ángeles, la abuela de León, cumple 111 años” – Diario de León, 23 March 2023

* “Muere a los 111 años Ángeles de la Fuente, la persona más longeva de León” – Diario de León, 28 December 2023

GALLERY