BIOGRAPHY

Ilse Meingast was born in Berlin, Germany, on 14 March 1912. In her 30s, she moved to California, USA, where she worked as a seamstress. She had three children, including Ruth Mewes, who was 88 years old in March 2021.

On 12 March 2021, at the age of 108, Meingast was vaccinated against COVID-19.

RECOGNITION

Following the passing of 116-year-old Edie Ceccarelli, the oldest person in the United States, on 22 February 2024, she became the oldest living resident of California.

Following the death of 114-year-old Charlotte Kretschmann on 27 August 2024, she became the oldest living German-born person, at the age of 112 years, 166 days.

Her age was verified by Georg Fürholzer and Marco Wikkerink (ESO), and validated on 30 September 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* “A COVID-19 vaccination, a 50-year friendship, and a 109th birthday” – Kaiser Permanente, 25 March 2021

GALLERY