BIOGRAPHY

Lucia Laura Sangenito was born in Sturno, Campania, Italy on 22 November 1910. On 2 February 1939, she got married and went on to have four children, of whom two died immediately after birth. Her two surviving children are Michele (aged 84 in 2024) and Maria (aged 79 in 2024). She worked as an agricultural laborer and served as a midwife for the children of Sturno. Her husband was a farmer.

She voted for the Republic in the 1946 Italian institutional referendum. Her mother died at the age of 101.

Her husband passed away in 2010, aged 98, one month before her 100th birthday. In May 2018, at the age of 107, she fell, fracturing her femur, and subsequently underwent delicate surgery. At time of her 110th birthday, she had two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. When interviewed by the online newspaper Ottopagine, she said, “I have made many sacrifices… I am happy with my life, even if I died immediately, I would be happy for what I have experienced. We always thank God. What He wants, I do. He gave me these years and I’m taking them.” It is reported that she favors light meals, dislikes sweets, has a preference for vegetables, and enjoys broth in the evening.

Sangenito currently lives in Sturno, Campania, Italy.

RECOGNITION

On her 108th birthday, the mayor of Sturno, Vito Di Leo, presented her with a plaque together with the municipal council. At the age of 108, she became the oldest living person in the region of Campania.

Her age was validated by the ESO on 7 March 2021.

On 15 January 2022, at the age of 111 years, 54 days, she surpassed the final age of Teresa Ruberto (1896–2007), becoming the oldest person to ever live in the region of Campania. On 12 August 2024, at the age of 113 years, 264 days, she surpassed the final age of Amalia Barone (1884–1998), becoming the oldest person ever born in the region.

On 17 November 2023, following the death of 113-year-old Domenica Ercolani, she became the second-oldest living person in Italy, behind Claudia Baccarini.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Sturno in festa per i 109 anni di nonna Laurina, la donna più anziana della Campania” – Napoli Fanpage, 22 November 2019

* “Cin cin ai 110 anni di nonna Laurina. La più longeva della Campania” – Irpinia TV, 23 November 2020

* “Lucia Laura Sangenito, 112 anni e non sentirli” – Corriere Canadese, 13 June 2023

GALLERY