Supercentenarian Profile

Ilse Neumann

Born:

1914-07-23

Not available

Germany

Current Residence:

Taucha, Saxony

Germany

Ilse Neumann is a German supercentenarian who is currently the nation’s oldest known living person.

BIOGRAPHY

Ilse Neumann was born in Germany on 23 July 1914. Before she retired, she worked as a tailor. With limited financial resources, she found inspiration in the shop windows of the city’s upscale stores and sewed clothes she admired for herself.

After her husband’s death in 1976, she continued living alone in her apartment in Taucha for many years. Although she remained unmarried and childless, she took pleasure in caring for her neighbors’ children, who later became her close friends and companions for many years.

In 2019, she moved into a nursing home. On her 109th birthday, after receiving congratulations from her guests, the mayor of Taucha, Tobias Meier, also came to extend his best wishes. At the age of 110, she preferred to spend her days quietly in her room without much excitement. However, she enjoyed participating in singing activities, and one of her favorite foods was Vienna sausages.

According to her caregiver, Ilse lived a relatively stress-free life. She was frugal by nature and, above all, had a deep love of music. At the age of 112, she was reported to be living with progressive dementia. Her caregiver recalled that there were times when she was alert and recognized those around her, but more often she kept her eyes closed or quietly sang about the day. Her favorite food was Vienna sausages—always without mustard.

RECOGNITION

Her age has not been validated.

On 30 September 2024, following the passing of 110-year-old Irmgard Genthe, she became the oldest (known) living person in Saxony, at the age of 110 years, 69 days.

On 2 January 2026, following the passing of Else Tostmann, she became the oldest known living person in Germany.