Supercentenarian Profile

Margarita Arriagada Cancino

Born:

1897-12-08

San Juan de La Costa, Los Lagos Region

Chile

Died:

2011-12-17

Corte Alto, Los Lagos Region

Chile

Margarita Arriagada Cancino was a Chilean supercentenarian.

BIOGRAPHY

Margarita Arriagada Cancino was born in San Juan de La Costa, Los Lagos Region, Chile, on 8 December 1897 (claimed 17 December). She was one of eight siblings, four women and four men. At the age of 17—or in 1927, according to one report—she married Juan Mansilla Mansilla. The couple had eight children: two sons and six daughters. Her husband passed away in 1972.

Around 2009, Purranque Mayor César Negrón named her an “Illustrious Daughter of Purranque” (Hija Ilustre de Purranque). Her grandson, Paulo Javier Soto Mansilla, described her as a very strong person who, at the same time, raised her family with great wisdom. He attributed this wisdom to her deep religious faith, which she cherished throughout her life. He also recalled her immense love for the Virgin Mary and her devoted attendance at the Novena of the Holy Rosary.

Margarita Arriagada Cancino passed away in Corte Alto, Los Lagos Region, Chile, on 17 December 2011, at the age of 114 years, 9 days.

RECOGNITION

On 24 August 2009, at the age of 111 years, 259 days, she surpassed the final age of Marta Herminia Canevaro Luza, becoming the oldest known person ever to have lived in Chile.

Upon her own passing, María Mercedes Díaz Quijano succeeded her as the oldest living person in Chile. Later, in July 2012, Díaz Quijano surpassed her final age, becoming the new national longevity record holder for Chile.

Her age was initially placed under pending validation by Latin American Supercentenarians (LAS) on 12 January 2020, when the organization was founded. At the time, her date of birth was recognized as 17 December 1897. However, research conducted in August 2026 by Eli Logan and Stefan Maglov suggests that she was more likely born on 8 December 1897, which would have made her 114 years old at the time of her death, rather than 113.

Her age is currently under review, and the validation process has not yet been completed.