BIOGRAPHY

Maria Palma Colombo was born in Fontanella, Lombardy, Italy, on 28 March 1915. She was the youngest of eleven siblings. At just nine years old, she began working as a maid in Milan, in the home of a military surgeon colonel, before later moving to Genoa. There, she worked as a babysitter for the colonel’s children—despite being a child herself—often playing alongside them.

She remained in that household until the age of 26, but when her brothers called her back home to care for their ailing mother, who suffered from heart disease, she dutifully returned. During this time, she met Angelo Guido, the man who would become her husband. Together, they had four children: Lucia, Olga, Renato (who tragically passed away at just 23 days old), and another son, also named Renato.

The family eventually settled in Cologno Monzese. After her husband Angelo passed away, Maria chose to continue working as a housekeeper in Milan.

Longevity runs in her family—her grandmother lived to the age of 100.

RECOGNITION

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “La donna più anziana di Cologno Monzese da oggi in Casa Famiglia” – Fondazione Mantovani, January 2023

* Persone viventi più longeve in Italia – Supercentenari d’Italia

GALLERY