Karla Kočková, the oldest living person in the Czech Republic, recently celebrated her 108th birthday in Veselí nad Lužnicí.
Although her actual birthday is today, 25 December, a celebration was held a few days ago and attended by Zdeněka Pravdová, Chair of the Council for Civil Affairs; Ladislav Sýkora, Deputy Mayor; and Vít Rada, Mayor.
Karla Kočková was born in Veselí nad Lužnicí, then in Czechoslovakia, on 25 December 1917. Even as a schoolgirl, she was already embroidering and sewing clothes for dolls. A woman who lived three houses down the street—who had returned from America and worked as a seamstress—taught her how to sew, along with her friends. She trained as a ladies’ tailor and practiced the craft throughout her life. She married her husband, Zdeněk, in her hometown, and together they had a daughter, Helenka. At 106, she also had a granddaughter, and three great-grandchildren.
She continued riding her bicycle until the age of 90. By 106, it was reported that she no longer went for walks on her own, venturing only into the yard when accompanied. Her eyesight had deteriorated, making reading difficult, even though she had always loved books. She attended a club at the cultural center until she was 100 years old, and even in her centenarian years she enjoyed keeping up with the news on television, especially politics.
On 28 September 2025, following the passing of 108-year-old Blažena Strachotová, she became the nation’s oldest living resident.
LongeviQuest extends warm congratulations to Karla Kočková on her 108th birthday.
