BIOGRAPHY

Amalia Gomes Dantas was born in Patos, Paraíba, Brazil, on 6 December 1908, to Francisco Gomes dos Santos and Veneranda de Arimatéia Lustosa. Her brother, Fernando Gomes (who passed away in 1985), was a priest in Patos and later served as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Goiânia, Goiás. She studied at Nossa Senhora das Neves College in João Pessoa, Paraíba.

On 10 May 1936, she married Antonio Dantas de Almeida in her native Patos. The couple had five sons: Rui (philosopher, theologian and teacher), Murilo (electrical engineer), Ronaldo (mechanical engineer), Paulo Antônio (pediatrician), and Marconi. The first three children were born in Patos, while the two youngest two were born in Pianco Valley. Her husband served as a judge in various cities, including Piancó, Patos, and Campina Grande. In 1952, she left Morada do Sol to accompany her husband, whose judicial duties required frequent relocations to different districts. Her husband died in 2006, at the age of 99.

At the age of 108, she remained mentally sharp, kept up with current events through the press, and regularly read the newspaper. She enjoyed all types of food without dietary restrictions but always practiced moderation. A devout Catholic, she watched Mass on television, faithfully said her prayers, and continued to actively manage her household. She even oversaw the family finances.

Gomes Dantas died around 4:00 p.m. in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil on 18 April 2022 at the age of 113 years, 133 days.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Anri K., and validated by the LAS on 12 January 2020.

Amalia Gomes Dantas held the record as the oldest known person to have passed away in the state of Pernambuco until 2 November 2024, when Beatriz Ferreira Duarte surpassed her final age.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Patoense chega aos 108 anos de idade com saúde e lucidez” – Folha Patoense, 14 February 2017

* “Aos 113 anos morre a patoense Amália Gomes” – Folha Patoense, 18 April 2022

GALLERY