Carmela Villani

BIOGRAPHY

Carmela Villani was born in Acquarica del Capo, Apulia, Italy, on 1 May 1909. Her mother, Elvira, passed away at the age of 105 and was considered a “historical” figure in Acquarica del Capo. She managed a historic tobacconist’s shop for 62 years, starting in 1899.

In 1937, she married Francesco Restino, and the couple settled in Alezio. In 1939, their first daughter, Concetta, was born, followed by a second daughter two years later. Tragically, her husband passed away after a few years, leaving her widowed at the age of 44 with two young daughters to care for. In Alezio, she actively participated in social and religious life. She was a devoted member of the Church of Santa Maria della Lizza and served as president of the Franciscans. One of her enduring passions was solving crosswords, a hobby that helped keep her mind sharp well into her centenarian years.

When asked about the secret to her longevity, she shared a few simple yet profound guidelines: enjoy light meals paired with a glass of wine, avoid smoking and stress, and embrace each day as a gift. In 2000, her daughter Concetta moved from Milan to live with her and care for her during her later years. Until the age of 95, she never missed a single day at the beach during the summer. She remained in excellent health until the age of 105, when an ischemic episode left her unable to use her legs. She was not particularly picky with food. At the age of 110, her daughter remarked that she had set her sights on breaking records—she aspired to become the oldest woman in Italy.

Carmela Villani passed away in Acquarica del Capo, Apulia, on 25 October 2020, at the age of 111 years, 177 days.

RECOGNITION

On 18 June 2019, following the passing of 116-year-old Maria Giuseppa Robucci, she became the oldest living person in the region of Apulia.

Her age was validated by the European Supercentenarian Organisation (ESO) on 5 September 2020.

At the time of her passing, she was the second-oldest living person in Italy, after Maria Oliva.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Alezio festeggia la sua “supercentenaria”: 110 candeline per nonna Carmela” – Piazzasalento, 1 May 2019

* “Le 110 candeline di Carmela, nonna record del Salento” – Quotidiano Di Puglia, 5 May 2019

* “Nonna Carmela, 111 anni ai tempi del Coronavirus: ha visto la Spagnola e due guerre mondiali” – la Repubblica, 1 May 2020

* “Ciao Nonna Carmela! Muore ad Alezio la donna ultracentenaria di 111 anni” – Leccenews24, 25 October 2020

GALLERY

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