Mariannina Genovese

BIOGRAPHY

Mariannina Genovese was born in Noto, Syracuse, Sicily, Italy, on 15 October 1905. Her brother, Salvatore, served as mayor of Noto in the 1950s. In the spring of 1958, he was the city’s most-voted municipal councilor. Her sister Lilla lived to the age of 99.

At the age of 107, she underwent femur surgery under spinal anesthesia, performed by the Orthopedic Unit of Trigona Hospital in Noto. The procedure was necessary due to a subcapital hip fracture caused by an accidental fall at her home. Just two days after the operation, she got out of bed and took her first steps. Before being discharged from the hospital, she made a point of personally greeting and thanking the doctors and nurses in both the operating room and the ward. “I had a truly good experience,” she said. “Courteous welcome, staff always available, and above all, great professionalism. I am more than satisfied.”

Even in her centenarian years, she remained active, continuing to read and watch television. When asked about the secret to her longevity, she credited it to drinking plenty of milk and remaining single. Her grandniece Tita shared that she never smoked, occasionally enjoyed a glass of wine, and drank a lot of milk.

Mariannina Genovese passed away in Noto, on 1 January 2019, at the age of 113 years, 78 days.

RECOGNITION

On 14 January 2016, following the passing of Maria Santa Vincenza Butera, she became the oldest living person in Sicily. She held the title for almost 3 years. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Diega Cammalleri.

On 8 October 2017, at the age of 111 years, 358 days, she surpassed the final age of Arturo Licata, becoming Sicily’s oldest person ever. She held the title until 10 January 2019, nine days after her passing, when Diega Cammalleri surpassed her final age.

At the time of her passing, she was the second-oldest living person in Italy, after Maria Giuseppa Robucci.

Genovese’s age was verified by Paolo Scarabaggio and Damiano Saputo, and was validated by the European Supercentenarian Organisation (ESO) on 18 January 2020.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Noto, intervento chirurgico al femore per una donna di centosette anni” – Giornale di Sicilia, 28 December 2012

* “Mariannina, a 113 anni è la donna più anziana della Sicilia: “Il segreto? Bevo latte e vivo sola” ” – Giornale di Sicilia, 20 October 2018

GALLERY

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