Supercentenarian Profile

Laura Oblitas

Born:

1907-08-24

Private

Peru

Died:

2017-10-15

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

United States

Laura Oblitas was a Peruvian-born American supercentenarian.

BIOGRAPHY

Laura Oblitas claimed to have been born in Peru on 24 August 1907. When her husband, Miguel, a civil engineer, suffered a stroke in 1949 that left him too disabled to work, she took on the responsibility of supporting and raising their six children on her own. A skilled seamstress, she found work sewing girls’ clothing, often staying up late into the night—sometimes until 3 or 4 a.m.—to provide for her family.

According to her son Luis, she was a strict mother, yet deeply devoted to her Catholic faith. She attended church regularly and remained committed to daily prayer, even in her old age. In 1966, she was honored as “Mother of the Year” in Lima. All six of her children graduated from college, married, and established successful careers. In the early 1980s, they brought her to America, taking turns caring for her in her later years.

At the age of 110, she had 12 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

Laura Oblitas passed away in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA, on 15 October 2017, at the age of 110 years, 52 days.