BIOGRAPHY

Hildegard Henke was born in Uerdingen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, on 4 November 1905. After attending an Ursuline convent in Cologne, she moved to the Northern Eifel region before the Second World War, when her husband, Josef, took a position as a district forester in Monschau. Although a forester’s lodge was built in Höfen-Alzen, the Henke couple spent most of their time living in Kalterherberg. Josef Henke passed away in 1978 at the age of 75. They had two sons, including Hansjoachim.

Following her husband’s death, she lived alone in a house in the town center. It wasn’t until she was over 100 years old that she chose to move to the Maria Hilf Foundation in Monschau for her final years. She lived on the first floor, but over time, climbing stairs became too difficult and unsafe.

When asked about the secret to her long life, Henke—who never actively participated in sports—was clear and confident: “A healthy lifestyle, little alcohol, and lots of hiking,” she said, was her recipe for longevity.

Hildegard Henke passed away in Monschau, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, on 27 September 2016, at the age of 110 years, 328 days.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Georg Fürholzer, and validated by LongeviQuest on 23 June 2025.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Sie winkte Kaiser Wilhelm zu: Hildegard Henke wird 110 Jahre” – Aachener Zeitung, 4 November 2015

* “Gedenkseite von Hildegard Henke, Geb. Stryczek” – aspetos.com

GALLERY