BIOGRAPHY

María Agustina Reyes de Flórez was born in Cereté, Córdoba Department, Colombia, on 8 August 1909. She was reportedly of entirely Indigenous descent. Her parents were from San Andrés de Sotavento. When asked about her memories of the lands where she had lived her entire life, she recalled that they were mostly swampy and consisted largely of farmlands. She fondly remembered preparing foods like sweet buns and mazamorra.

At some point in her youth, she married José María Flórez Negrete. The couple had 12 children, none of whom died in infancy. She gave birth to her first child, Josefa María, at the age of 20. Her children also included Alicia, Rosario, Dalva (who passed away in late 2017 or early 2018), Marcos, Aldon, Rosa Camila, Teresa, and Edith (her fifth daughter).

Her ID listed her birthdate as 8 August 1909, but her relatives believed she might actually be older. In October 2016, her age was reported as 111 instead of 107. At the time, she remarked, “I don’t even remember what year I was born, but they have it written down somewhere.” She said she enjoyed dancing, never smoked or drank, but what she did indulge in were the delicious foods that her land always provided: guartinaja, pork, corn, yams, yuca, beef, chicken, cheese, and fish, as well as whey.

In February 2018, journalists from Diario La Piragua visited her and found her to be still lucid, with vivid memories of her long-deceased family members. The conversation was facilitated by her granddaughter, who spoke loudly into her ear due to her hearing loss. One of her granddaughters described her as a strong-willed and rigid woman. She said that once her grandmother made a decision, it was final—even if she was wrong. However, she also expressed gratitude for the solid upbringing she received, which always kept her on the right path.

María Agustina Reyes de Flórez passed away in Cereté, on 18 October 2019, at the age of 110 years, 71 days.

RECOGNITION

Some documentation supporting her age was found by Santiago García Medina, and her age was reported as pending validation by the Latin American Supercentenarians (LAS) as of 20 May 2021.

ATTRIBUTION

* “En Cereté vive “Mama” la noble abuela que tiene 111 años” – Río Noticias, 5 October 2016

* “Conoce a la “Trastatarabuela” de 110 años.” – Canal Cartagena, 13 July 2016

* “María Agustina Reyes, la mujer más vieja del mundo” – Diario La Piragua, 3 February 2018

GALLERY