BIOGRAPHY

Generoza Araújo Soares was born in Volta Grande, Minas Gerais, Brazil on 16 August 1915. Orphaned at the age of two after losing her mother, she lived with her paternal grandparents until she was ten. After that, she went to live with her siblings and their father. She became an excellent cook and scholar, as well as a lover of literature. Additionally, she worked as a seamstress, a trade she learned and pursued in her free time.

At the age of 21, she married Francisco. The couple had seven children, one of whom died in infancy. She was very determined to ensure that all of her children received an education.

At the age of 100, she had 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

In July 2021, she was discharged from the COVID-19 Center in the city of Itaperuna, where she had been admitted with symptoms of the disease and respiratory distress. She underwent tests and medication and was under observation until she was ready to return to her family on July 23. The city’s mayor, Alfredo Paulo Marques Rodrigues, presented her with a bouquet of flowers and wrote her a message.

Generoza Araújo Soares passed away in Itaperuna, Rio de Janeiro, on 25 September 2024, at the age of 109 years, 40 days.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Gabriel Ainsworth and Iara Souza, and validated by LongeviQuest on 27 July 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Un século de alegrias” – Mania de Saúde Jornal, 15 September 2015

* “Idosa de 105 anos recebe alta após se recuperar da Covid-19 no Rio de Janeiro” – CNN Brasil, 27 July 2021

* “Moradora de Itaperuna aparece em lista como a 77ª pessoa mais velha do Brasil; saiba quem é Generoza” – G1, 1 October 2024

GALLERY