BIOGRAPHY

Carpatachi was born in Symi, South Aegean, Greece, on 14 October 1913. Although official documents indicated 14 October as her birthdate, she firmly maintained that she was born on 8 February. After getting married, she followed her husband, an officer of the Royal Navy, to Greece and then to Trieste. She gave birth to her son amidst the rubble of the bombing of Trieste during the Second World War. She was widowed at a young age.

In October 2023, she celebrated her 110th birthday at the nursing home where she lived, in a Greek-style room, surrounded by love and recognition from residents, staff, and local authorities, including Councilor Tognolli, the Honorary Consul General of Greece, Kedros Pappas, and Father Gregory of the Greek Orthodox Church. A young Greek student dedicated traditional songs to her, played on the mandolin.

On 7 July 2024, just days before her passing, she met Pope Francis.

Carpatachi passed away in Trieste, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, on 11 July 2024, at the age of 110 years, 271 days.

RECOGNITION

At the time of her passing, she was the oldest living residents of the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Maria Carpatachi: 110 anni di vita straordinaria, la donna più longeva del triveneto” – Trieste Cafe, 27 October 2023

* “Maria spegne 110 candeline: è la donna più longeva del Triveneto” – TriestePrima, 27 October 2023

* “Papa Francesco oggi a Trieste ha incontrato la donna più longeva del Triveneto” – TriestePrima, 7 July 2024

* “Morta a 110 anni Maria Carpatachi, la donna più longeva del Triveneto” – TriestePrima, 12 July 2024

GALLERY