Idalina Moniz, the oldest living person in the Azores, Portugal, is celebrating her 110th birthday today in Ribeirinha (Ribeira Grande).
Idalina Moniz was born in Ribeirinha (Ribeira Grande), Azores, Portugal, on 28 October 1916. She grew up on a small farm and had a sister, Maria Amélia. Her parents also owned a grocery store. Over the years, however, the farm fell into disrepair. She completed her fourth-grade education and learned embroidery at school, an art she continued to practice well into her centenarian years. She also made lace and other handicrafts. Throughout her working life, she was employed as a domestic worker.
She never married, but reportedly had no regrets about it, once remarking: “Married life costs a lot of money.”
According to her words, one of the best moments of her life was undoubtedly a trip to mainland Portugal with her family. Of all the cities she visited, Lisbon was her favourite. She loved strolling around the city, particularly admiring the nighttime illumination of Terreiro do Paço. She also visited Porto, Braga, and Coimbra, although none of these cities left the same impression on her as Lisbon. She particularly enjoyed the beaches and churches of mainland Portugal as well. Although she visited Spain, she regretted not having had the opportunity to visit Badajoz, as her group had to pack their bags and return to the island.
Although three people born in the Azores had previously been documented as supercentenarians after emigrating—Alice Sanders, Julia Rose, and Rosa Furtado—Idalina Moniz is the first known person to reach the age of 110 while residing in the Azores.
LongeviQuest extends warm congratulations to Idalina Moniz on her 110th birthday.
