Mathilde Lartigue

BIOGRAPHY

Mathilde Lartigue was born in Montpellier in the region of Occitania, on 24 March 1905. Mathilde grew up surrounded by her mother, a milliner who worked from their family home, and her father, a secretary at the Montpellier University of Sciences. She began her career as a secretary at one of Montpellier’s largest bookstores, the Librairie Valat. In 1950, she married Jean Lartigue, a childhood friend who worked in a local pastry shop.

Mathilde later took a position as an office clerk in the secretariat of the Montpellier University of Arts and Humanities, where she remained until her retirement. She was reportedly one of the first residents of Montpellier to earn a driver’s license. An avid tennis player, she played every Sunday and was a passionate supporter of the Montpellier Olympic Stadium football team. In 2004, she was inducted into the Brotherhood of the Barons de Caravètes.

Mathilde often said that the secret to her longevity was finding joy in everyday life and cherishing life’s simple pleasures. She moved into the Carriera Retirement Home in Montpellier in 2003.

Mathilde Lartigue passed away in Montpellier, on 24 March 2018, on her 113th birthday.

RECOGNITION

At the time of her death, she was the fourth-oldest living person in France, following Lucile Randon, Gabrielle des Robert, and Jeanne Bot. She was also the second-oldest living person in the Occitanie region, after Jeanne Bot.

At the time of her passing, she was the third recorded individual to pass away on their 113th birthday, after Astrid Zachrison in 2008, and Benilda Ospino Altamar in 2010.

Lartigue’s age was validated by the ESO on 18 January 2020.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Joyeux anniversaire à Mathilde Lartigue doyenne des Montpelliérains” – voussaveztout.com, 24 March 2016

* “Pour ses 112 ans, elle s’offre un tour en camion de pompiers à Montpellier” – francebleu.fr, 23 March 2017

GALLERY

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