Maria Zuccalà

BIOGRAPHY

Maria Antonia Zuccalà was born in Polistena, Calabria, Italy, on 15 March 1905. She was the third of four siblings and outlived them all. Her adult life was devoted to agriculture, domestic crafts, and caring for her family—a commitment that began early in life after she married her husband, Domenico Capitò. The couple had four children, but she outlived three of them.

As of 2015, at the age of 110, her only surviving child was Maria, then 71, who cared for her with the help of her daughter-in-law, Anna. Despite her advanced age, Zuccalà was reported to have a remarkably clear and lucid mind, capable of recalling events in a vivid and orderly way—even as her eyesight and hearing had begun to decline.

Maria Antonia Zuccalà passed away in Polistena, Calabria, on 15 October 2016, at the age of 111 years, 214 days.

RECOGNITION

Following the passing of Armanda Gareri (13 May 1905 – 23 March 2014), she became the oldest known living person in Calabria. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Giuseppa D’Agostino.

Zuccalà’s age was verified by Paolo Scarabaggio and validated by the ESO on 21 June 2021.

ATTRIBUTION

* “POLISTENA. Nonna Maria Antonia festeggia le 110 primavere. E’ suo il primato di donna più longeva della Calabria” – ReggioPress, 15 March 2015

GALLERY

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