Supercentenarian Profile

Benilda Ospino Altamar

Born:

1897-12-28

Nueva Granada, Magdalena

Colombia

Died:

2010-12-28

El Difícil, Ariguaní, Magdalena

Colombia

Benilda Esther Ospino Altamar was a Colombian supercentenarian.

BIOGRAPHY

Benilda Ospino Altamar was born to Felipe Santiago Ospino Moscote and María Altamar Bolaños in the village of El Totumo, which today lies on the border between the municipalities of Sabanas de San Ángel and Nueva Granada in the Magdalena Department of Colombia. Although she claimed to have been born on 28 December 1894, research indicates that she was actually three years younger and was born on 28 December 1897.

She had four life partners. At the age of 15, in 1909, she began living with her first partner, Juvenal Díaz. Their first son, Buenaventura Díaz Ospino (1911–2005), was born two years later. He went on to become a renowned composer and was the author of the song El Grito Vagabundo (“The Wandering Cry”). She later entered into a relationship with Concepción Romero, and they had a son, Juan de Dios Romero Ospino. She subsequently lived with Juan Ospino, with whom she had three children: Joselito Ospino, who also became a composer and wrote the song El Humanitario, María del Rosario Ospino, and another child.

Her fourth and final partner was Juan Evangelista Tapias Baena. Together they had six children: Concepción Eloisa, Marcelino Manuel, Felipe Santiago, Sebastián Gregorio, Juan Evangelista, and Nicolás Antonio. The last two became accordion players and composers.

Her daughter, María del Rosario Ospino, died in 2022, shortly before her 104th birthday.

Benilda Ospino Altamar passed away in the town of El Difícil in the municipality of Ariguaní, Magdalena, Colombia, on 28 December 2010, her 113th birthday.