BIOGRAPHY

Farrugia was born as Maria Galea in Mosta, a city in Malta’s Northern Region, on 7 March 1912, to Anna and Anġlu Galea. Including an older brother George, she had five siblings, some of whom died young. She grew up in the town of Msida, Central Region. Her father was a stevedore, responsible for carrying baskets of coal onto barges at the port, despite not being able to swim. Later, he worked on a farm. Maria did not attend school, as education was not yet compulsory. However, she taught herself to read and enjoyed reading novels. She also took sewing classes and learned how to cook. In addition, she assisted her mother in selling milk for one penny per can and worked as a cleaner for a period of time. Her mother lived to be 100 years old.

In 1941, she married Ġorġ Farrugia, with whom she had three children: Josephine, Anġlu (Angelo), and Karmena (Carmen). Both Josephine and Angelo died at the age of five. During World War II, she and her family relocated to Hamrun, Southern Region. Her husband served as a soldier in the King’s Own Regiment. Later, after being injured, he worked with the Air Raids Precautions, a team responsible for clearing debris and searching for casualties following air raids. In June 1940, one of her brothers, Pawlu, died during one of Malta’s first air raids at the age of 37. She was widowed in 1962.

Throughout her life, Farrugia worked as a seamstress, as well as crocheting blankets and selling goat’s milk. Her hobbies included cooking and playing bingo. She is a devout Catholic, and recites the rosary every night.

As a centenarian, Farrugia’s favourite meal was vegetable soup with a slice of bread, and oil and olives on the side. She enjoyed reminiscing with old photographs. Her last surviving daughter Carmen started looking after her in the 1980s, along with her own son Stephen.

Maria Farrugia passed away in Hamrun, Southern Region, on 23 December 2024, at the age of 112 years, 291 days.

RECOGNITION

Farrugia was first noted for her longevity on her 104th birthday. For her 107th birthday, Farrugia received a papal blessing from Pope Francis. Many Maltese news outlets have covered her birthdays since then.

On 8 December 2021, at the age of 109 years, 276 days, she surpassed the final age of Connie Galea (1890–2000), becoming the oldest known person ever in Malta. Three months later, she became the first person in the country to achieve supercentenarian status. She went on to turn 111 in 2023, and 112 in 2024.

Her age was verified by Andrew Holmes, and validated by the European Supercentenarian Organisation (ESO). on 17 March 2024. The validation was recognized by LongeviQuest on 24 March.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Oldest person in Malta celebrates her 110th birthday” – The Malta Independent, 7 March 2022

* “I thank God for every single day I have lived, says Malta’s oldest person at 111” – Times of Malta, 5 July 2023

* “Malta’s oldest woman turns 112” – Times of Malta, 7 March 2024

* “Malta’s Oldest Woman Maria Farrugia Passes Away At 112” – Lovin Malta, 24 December 2024

GALLERY