Supercentenarian Profile

Matsu Uechi

Born:

1903-12-11

Nago, Okinawa Prefecture

Japan

Died:

2014-02-01

São Paulo City, São Paulo

Brazil

Matsu Uechi (Japanese: 上地マツ (うえちまつ)) (née Yonamine) was a Japanese-born Brazilian supercentenarian.

BIOGRAPHY

Matsu Uechi was born in Makiya in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, on 11 December 1903. In 1925, she traveled to Brazil aboard the Chicago Maru at the invitation of her husband, Kankichi Uechi, who was from her same hometown. The couple first settled in Catanduva, in the state of São Paulo, before later moving to Álvares Machado. There, they worked in agriculture for nearly 30 years.

After Kankichi’s untimely passing at the age of 51, Matsu raised their five children on her own. In 1961, the family relocated to the Casa Verde district of São Paulo, where she dedicated herself to caring for the household and her grandchildren. She continued playing gateball until the age of 97, and even after turning 100, she maintained her daily routine of reading the Nikkei Shimbun.

Matsu Uechi passed away in São Paulo City, on 1 February 2014, at the age of 110 years, 52 days.