Kiyo Maeda

BIOGRAPHY

Kiyo Maeda (前田キヨ) was born in Japan on January 5, 1903.
Before and during World War II, she lived in Manchuria, where she gave birth to eight children. Her husband died during the war, and after Japan’s defeat, she repatriated to Imari City in Saga Prefecture. While working as a peddler, she raised four of her children and remained active in household duties until the age of 86.

At the age of 109, she was living in Imari City with her youngest daughter, Kazuko Michiyama (then 74), and her husband. Despite some hearing loss, she was reported to be in good health, only visiting the hospital once a year. She had no particular dietary restrictions and occasionally enjoyed beer or sake. Taking walks around her home was part of her daily routine. When asked about the secret to her longevity, she often responded with humor, saying it was “eating whatever I like,” which brought laughter to those around her.

Maeda became the oldest living person in Saga Prefecture on December 2, 2011, following the passing of Chiyono Hasegawa of Kiyama Town at the age of 115.
She passed away from natural causes on November 9, 2013, at the age of 110 years and 308 days. Following her passing, Nugi Ikeda of Karatsu City succeeded her as the prefecture’s oldest living person.

RECOGNITION

Her age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group on 3 May 2014 and later recognized by LongeviQuest.

ATTRIBUTION

• “佐賀県／県内最高齢　秘訣「わがよかとば食べる」　１０９歳　前田さん祝福　伊万里市長「次は日本一に」” － Nishinippon Shimbun, September 5, 2012

GALLERY

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