BIOGRAPHY

Bernadette Marie Modeste Georgette Cayé was born in La Baule-Escoublac (then Escoublac), Loire-Atlantique department, Pays de la Loire, on 28 February 1911. She grew up in a large family with eight siblings. Eventually, she married and had a son. At 20, she moved to Paris, where she worked in various professions, ranging from baking to nursing, and as a saleswoman. Later, she supported her entrepreneur husband, even driving a truck.

Widowed at 59, she lived independently in a Paris apartment until the age of 102, despite losing her sight in the 1990s. After the loss of her only son, Bernard, her great-nephews and nieces decided to bring her back to her home region. In 2016, Cayé moved to the intercommunal hospital of Le Croisic.

On her 110th birthday, she was still in good health and celebrated with her favorite meal: chicken and chips, followed by a whisky as an aperitif and a chocolate cake. She didn’t forget to enjoy a coffee, which she was still drinking several times a day.

Cayé passed away in Le Croisic, Loire-Atlantique, Pays de la Loire, France, on 23 September 2021, at the age of 110 years, 207 days.

RECOGNITION

Cayé’s age was verified by Cyril Depoudent and validated by the ESO on 17 March 2021.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Le Croisic. À 109 ans, Bernadette Berthaud-Cayé reste très alerte” – Ouest France, 1 March 2020

* “Le Croisic. La doyenne de la commune fête ses 110 ans” – Ouest France, 3 March 2021

* “Bernadette Caye” – Ouest France, 27 September 2021

GALLERY