BIOGRAPHY

Irene Sinclair claimed to have been born in Guyana (then British Guiana), on 23 September 1908. Raised in Corentyne, a rural suburb, and Georgetown, she taught English and History before traveling to England in 1957 to support her daughter, who had recently given birth. She moved to Hackney in the early 1970s.

In 2000, she was invited to attend Queen Elizabeth’s 100th birthday. In 2004, she became the oldest woman ever featured in the “Dove Campaign for Real Beauty,” which showcased women aged 22 and older. Inspired by her story, Oprah Winfrey invited her to appear on her talk show in 2005. However, Sinclair graciously declined, citing her busy schedule, which included caring for a great-grandchild and an upcoming trip to Spain.

On 25 March 2015, she met another centenarian, Nellie Brown, who was 101 at the time and would later become a supercentenarian.

At the age of 109, she shared her secret to a long life, which she said was no secret at all: eat freshly cooked food every day and walk wherever you need to go.

Irene Sinclair passed away in Stoke Newington, London, England, on 8 January 2020, at the age of 111 years, 107 days.

RECOGNITION

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Happy 109th Birthday Irene” – Hackney Council, 22 September 2017

* “Hackney’s oldest resident? Irene Sinclair celebrates her 110th birthday in Stoke Newington with a glass of ginger wine” – Hackney Gazette, 27 September 2018

* “Dove model and Hackney’s oldest resident Irene Sinclair dies aged 111” – Ham & High, 9 January 2020

* “Ageless beauty dies at 111” – Ron Fanfair, 26 January 2020

GALLERY