BIOGRAPHY

Maria Oliva was born in the commune of Piazza Armerina in the province of Enna of the autonomous island region of Sicily, on 16 April 1909. She was the eldest child of farmers Giuseppe Oliva and Giuseppa Barbarotto, and grew up with three sisters and three brothers. Her brother Salvatore was 97 as of 2017, and her sister Lucia passed away in March 2021 at the age of 99 in Torino.

In 1927, at the age of 18, she married Filippo Catalano, also a farmer, and moved to Monte, a historic neighborhood in Piazza Armerina. A devoted housewife, Maria raised eight children. She was widowed in 1975.

By the age of 108, her family had grown to include 24 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. At that time, Maria was living with her daughter Nunzia and son-in-law Giovanni Arena, who had returned from years of working in Turin specifically to care for her. Despite some difficulty walking long distances in recent years due to leg issues, Maria remained in excellent health. She ate well, cherished daily rosary prayers with her daughter, and loved being surrounded by her large family. She remained sharp and independent, still answering the phone, vividly recalling details of her life, cooking for herself, and even speaking about the future. In September 2018, at the age of 109, she expressed a wish to meet Pope Francis during his visit to Sicily. She waited in Piazza Falcone e Borsellino, hoping to receive the gentle blessing of a caress from the Pope—a moment she had long dreamed of. She was in the front row, and the Pope shook her hand.

Her lifestyle was characterized by dietary moderation, with a diet centered around vegetables grown on the family farm. At 111, despite occasional minor memory lapses, she retained sharp recollections and continued to enjoy singing.

Maria Oliva passed away in Piazza Armerina, on 27 August 2021, at the age of 112 years, 133 days.

RECOGNITION

On 15 June 2019, following the passing of 113-year-old Diega Cammalleri, she became the oldest (known) living person in Sicily, at the age of 110 years, 60 days. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Giuseppina Comandè.

On 23 June 2020, following the passing of 112-year-old Erminia Bianchini, she became the oldest living person in Italy, at the age of 111 years, 68 days. She held the title until her own passing in August 2021, when she was succeeded by Ida Zoccarato.

Oliva’s age was verified by Paolo Scarabaggio and validated by the ESO on 10 November 2020.

ATTRIBUTION

* “La nonna del Monte, Maria Oliva festeggia 108 anni” – Nobile Quartiere Monte Mira, 18 April 2017

* “Dalla spagnola al coronavirus, a Piazza Armerina i 111 anni di nonna Marietta” – GdS, 17 April 2020

* “A Piazza Armerina la “nonna d’Italia” festeggia il traguardo dei 112 anni” – La Sicilia, 13 April 2021

GALLERY