Supercentenarian Profile

Michele Gai

Born:

1915-12-23

Turin, Piedmont

Italy

Current Residence:

Diano Castello, Liguria

Italy

Michele Gai is an Italian supercentenarian who is currently the nation’s second-oldest living man.

BIOGRAPHY

Michele Gai was born in Turin, Piedmont, Italy, on 23 December 1915.

For 35 years in Turin, he pursued a military career as a non-commissioned officer in the Army. In 1972, after being discharged, he moved to Liguria and settled in Cervo. There he began working as a pharmaceutical representative and commercial agent. He also served as secretary of the bocce club in San Bartolomeo al Mare.

In 2015, a celebration was held for his 100th birthday at the Centro Incontro, where he was presented with a commemorative plaque by the mayor of Cervo, Giampaolo Giordano. At 103, it was reported that, because of his age, he was required to renew his driver’s license every year—something he continued to do. Another source of pride for him was his ability to drive without glasses. He continued to drive without difficulty until the age of 104, often traveling to San Bartolomeo to play burraco, and stopped only with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.