BIOGRAPHY

Flora Vignoli was born in Bologna (San Giovanni in Persiceto), Emilia-Romagna, Italy, on 28 November 1904. She lost her mother at an early age. She studied until her sixth year of high school. From her youth, she vividly recalled both the lively and famous carnival celebrations in Persiceto, as well as the difficult days of World War I, when wounded and starving soldiers passed through the town during the retreat from Caporetto. She had spent most of her life living in the historic center of Bologna. At some point, she married Argo Martinelli and gave birth to three children between 1934 and 1941. Her son Mario, a well-known teacher and artist from Persiceto, passed away in 1980 at just 41 years old, while her husband Argo, a blacksmith, died at 62. Despite these losses, she remained deeply involved in her grandchildren’s education.

During World War II, her husband was kidnapped and taken away on a truck with an unknown destination. Despite not knowing how to ride a man’s bicycle, she bravely used one to search for him, eventually finding her husband in San Giacomo del Martignone and bringing him home.

At the age of 100, she was hit by a car, breaking her sacrum and several ribs. The doctor said she would never walk again, but she fully recovered. Later, she also broke her femur, but once again, she managed to get back on her feet. At one point, researchers from the University of Bologna even took blood samples from her for study.

Vignoli celebrated her 110th birthday surrounded by family, and just days later, she was visited by Councilor Paolo Balbarini, who brought warm wishes and greetings from the community. As a centenarian, she continued to play cards with her daughter Angela, with whom she lived, as well as with her neighbor, a woman in her nineties. When asked about the secret to her longevity, she said she didn’t believe she had one, adding, “I have always worked and taken care of many people. I lost my mother early, and without hesitation, thanks to my character, I had to take on everything. But I truly believe I have passed on some good principles.”

Flora Vignoli passed away in Bologna, on 7 February 2015, at the age of 110 years, 71 days.

RECOGNITION

Her age was validated by the ESO on 18 August 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* European Supercentenarian Organisation (ESO)

* Il Resto del Carlino, 9 December 2014

* “Una “nonna” da 11o e lode” – Comune di San Giovanni in Persiceto, 16 December 2014

GALLERY