BIOGRAPHY

Torres Vallbona was born in the village of Bellvís in the province of Lleida, Catalonia, Spain, on 18 March 1913. She had seven siblings. When she was three years old, her father passed away in an accident. Her mother moved the family to Barcelona where she entered the workforce. As a young girl, she attended a school run by nuns. As soon as she was old enough to work, she began an apprenticeship at a shoe store. Her first role was as a tiemaker. Employed by ‘Vinilos y Vidal,’ she earned six pesetas (Spain’s national currency at that time) for every 12 ties she crafted. Recognizing the importance of sewing skills, her mother insisted that she learn to sew as well, leading her to apprentice at a dressmaker’s shop. She didn’t receive a substantial salary, but the knowledge she gained was invaluable.

Later, she went to work at Bragulat. Meanwhile, the Spanish Civil War broke out, and during this period, she met her future husband, Josep, who served in the transmission war for three years and an additional three years of service. After the war ended, they married in 1942. The funds her mother had set aside after the War didn’t prove to be of much help, leading her to move in with her parents-in-law. The couple had a daughter, Mercè. She became a widow at the age of 61. Despite retiring, she continued to stay in the rental home. She continued living independently in a small apartment on C. Villarroel-Gran Via, until she broke her femur. Following the injury, her daughter Mercè came to live with her in the house, and they continue to live together to this day.

As of January 2024, she had 2 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

On 26 June 2023, following the passing of 110-year-old Virgilia de Diego Carnicero, she became the oldest living person in the city of Barcelona.

Her age was verified by Fabrizio Villatoro, and validated by LongeviQuest on 9 January 2024.

On 10 March 2024, following the passing of 111-year-old Pilar Cálix Busquets, she became the oldest living person in the Province of Barcelona.

On 23 November 2024, following the passing of 113 years-old Piedad Loriente Pérez, she became the oldest living person in Spain.

ATTRIBUTION

(All the information regarding Angelina Torres Vallbona’s biography was gathered through interviews conducted by LongeviQuest with her family.)

GALLERY