BIOGRAPHY

Josefina Villaverde Fontenla was born in Cuntis, Galicia, Spain, on 19 November 1909, to parents José Villaverde Lafuente and Marcelina Fontenla Romero. Her father died at the age of 40. She had six siblings: Severino, Daniel, José, Manuel, Ramona, and Mercedes. Some of them eventually moved abroad, including to Argentina. She learned to read and write with the help of a local woman named Elvira. She grew up working hard, starting her days at six in the morning to tend to the cattle so they could sell milk later. After school, she returned to work, finishing each day in the fields, at home, or wherever help was needed. At one point, she left home to work in Pontevedra, but eventually returned to Cuntis due to homesickness. She never married, but at the age of 18, she gave birth to a daughter, Manuela, and raised her as a single mother.

At the age of 106, she had three great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. At the time, she remarked, “I was born a socialist, and if I die, I will die a socialist.” In September 2016, at 106 years old, she received a visit from a delegation from the Socialist Party of Galicia. Carmen Cajide, a former party deputy, noted that until recently, Villaverde had continued attending party meetings. On her 110th birthday, she received a visit at home from the mayor, Manuel Campos, along with councilors Conchy Campos and Ana Loureiro. She was still in good health and hadn’t lost her sense of humor. At the time, she resided in the same house where she was born in.

Josefina Villaverde Fontenla passed away in Cuntis, Galicia, Spain, on 7 November 2020, at the age of 110 years, 354 days.

RECOGNITION

On 4 April 2020, following the passing of Ramona Costoyas Rey, she became the oldest known living person in Galicia. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by María Luisa Vázquez de Silva.

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Josefina, 106 anos na roda do tempo” – El Progreso de Lugo, 10 February 2016

* “Josefina Villaverde, 106 años: “Socialista hasta la muerte”” – Faro de Vigo, 23 September 2016

* “Cuntis celebra los 110 años de vida de su vecina más longeva” – Pontevedra Viva, 19 November 2019

GALLERY