LongeviQuest is saddened to report that Mrs. Klavdiya Gadyuchkina, the oldest living person in Russia and the world’s 5th-oldest living person, passed away yesterday, 29th November, at the age of 114 years, 359 days. Mrs. Gadyuchkina’s granddaughter, Olga, told LongeviQuest that her grandmother passed away peacefully after a few weeks of declining health.
Klavdiya Mikhailovna Gadyuchkina (Клавдия Михайловна Гадючкина) was born in the village of Norskoye on the Northwestern outskirts of the city of Yaroslavl, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia (then Russian Empire). She claimed to have been born on 24 November 1909; however, according to the research conducted by the European Supercentenarian Organisation (ESO) and LongeviQuest, her actual birthdate was discovered to be 5 December 1910.
When she was nine years old, her mother died of cancer. Her father, a carpenter, had to work a lot to afford both bread and hay for their cow. She had to leave school in the 3rd grade. At the age of 15, she found a job at the local spinning factory “Red Pass”, dedicating her entire career to the establishment. She advanced from auxiliary worker to spinner and assistant foreman, eventually becoming a production leader, earning a gramophone as a reward for her achievements.
In early 1928 she married Sergey Petrovich, and the couple went on to have five children. Her daughter Rita was born in late 1928, followed by two children who didn’t survive infancy. Her first son was born in January 1942 in what Klavdiya had recalled as “the most difficult time”. Her second son was born in 1945. Before her husband left to fight in World War II, he instructed her to exchange any items they possessed for food if necessary, which she did. Her husband died in 1956, due to an injury received at the factory. She retired after 52 years of work in the factory. After retirement Mrs. Gadyuchkina remained active and independent, still able to carry out household chores at the age of 107.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Klavdiya Gadyuchkina during this difficult time.
