BIOGRAPHY

Josefa Álvarez Rodríguez was born in the village of Santomé, in the Ourense municipality, Galicia, Spain, on 16 February 1906. One of ten children, she took on the responsibility of caring for all her siblings, as well as her father after he lost his sight. She ultimately outlived every one of them. She never married and had no children.

She credited her longevity in part to her daily coffee with milk, always enjoyed after lunch—a habit she held onto even in her later years.

Josefa Álvarez Rodríguez passed away in Ourense, on 19 September 2017, at the age of 111 years, 215 days.

RECOGNITION

At the time of her passing, she was the second-oldest living person in Galicia, after Avelina Mouzo Leis.

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “ ´¿109 anos? ¡Ay, que velliña che son!´ ” – Faro de Vigo, 17 February 2015

* “Una abuela gallega cumple 110 años cantando y rodeada de gente” – El Correo Gallego, 16 February 2016

* “Fallece en Cartelle la abuela de Galicia, Josefa Álvarez, a los 111 años de edad” – La Opinión A Coruña, 20 September 2017

GALLERY