BIOGRAPHY

Emilie Zimmermann was born in Wanne-Eickel (present-day Herne), North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, on 10 April 1908. In her youth, she was lovingly called “Millie” by her family and friends. In 1914, after completing her early schooling, she moved with her parents to Jarocin, located in present-day Poland (then part of the Province of Posen). Following the end of World War I in 1920, the family was expelled from the region. They left Posen with all their belongings packed onto a wagon. Her father, who worked for the railway, arranged a transfer to northern Germany. From 1922 onward, she grew up in Speckenbüttel (in the city of Bremerhaven) with her four brothers and two sisters. She attended primary school, followed by business school, and later worked in an office for many years.

Zimmermann was married twice. While volunteering with the Lehe parish, she met her second husband, whom she married in 1978. In 1995, she moved into the “Auf dem Berge” retirement home in Langen, where her husband, Gustav, joined her for a year. He passed away in 1996 at the age of 102.

On her 108th birthday, in addition to her family, high-ranking politicians from the town of Geestland extended their congratulations. At the time, she was living in a retirement home in Langen, where she remained actively engaged—chatting with her roommates, reading in the winter garden, and participating in house events. Rest and a healthy diet were central to her routine.

Emilie Zimmermann passed away in Geestland, Lower Saxony, Germany, on 23 September 2018, at the age of 110 years, 166 days.

RECOGNITION

On 27 March 2018, following the passing of 110-year-old Else Giesecke, she became the oldest living person in Lower Saxony. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Gertrud Teichgräber.

Her age was verified by Georg Fürholzer, and validated by LongeviQuest on 15 November 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Altersrekord im Landkreis: Emilie Zimmermann feiert 108. Geburtstag” – Nord 24, 12 April 2016

* “Langen: Emilie Zimmermann ist mit 110 Jahren die älteste Frau im Cuxland” – Nord 24, 10 April 2018

GALLERY