Iolanda Mazzotta

BIOGRAPHY

Iolanda Mazzotta was born on 19 August 1915.

She married Saverio Giancane of Carmiano (17 February 1912 – 8 August 1978) at the Church of San Lazzaro in Lecce in July 1938. Their marriage lasted forty years, until his passing. The couple had five children: Giuseppina (who died at seven months old on 2 February 1940), Anna (born 8 June 1941), Maria Angela (born 15 March 1945), Giovanna (born 8 June 1948), and Giuseppe (born 25 September 1950).

During the Second World War, Saverio was held prisoner in Albania for two years. After the war, he worked as a wholesale fruit merchant and owned a Leoncino truck, widely used in the 1950s and 1960s. With it, he transported cherries from Putignano and Castellana Grotte, as well as artichokes from Tuturano, to Campania, returning with loads of peaches and pears. He also frequently traveled to Ferrara, from where he imported apples.

In addition to her role as a wife and mother, she worked as a seamstress from a young age. She crafted wedding dresses, everyday garments, and even Carnival costumes.

At the age of 110, it was reported that she was in excellent health and free from any ailments. At the time, she had three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She passed away on 9 October 2025 in Lecce, Apulia, Italy, at the age of 110 years, 51 days.

RECOGNITION

On 1 August 2024, following the passing of Rita Lotta, she became the oldest living person in Apulia.

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “La follower ‘più saggia’ di Portalecce. Nonna Iolanda raggiunge il traguardo dei 108 anni” – portAlecce, 9 August 2023

* “La leccese Iolanda Mazzotta ha centodieci anni” – Il Pensiero Mediterraneo, 12 August 2025

GALLERY

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