Supercentenarian Profile

Suzanne Oberlaender

Born:

1916-03-23

Saint-Fons, Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

France

Current Residence:

Bron, Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

France

Suzanne Oberlaender (née Rogemond) is a French supercentenarian.

BIOGRAPHY

Suzanne Oberlaender was born in the commune of Saint-Fons in the Metropolis of Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, eastern France, on 23 March 1916. Her parents were Francisque Rogemond (1890–1960) and Jeanne Fillon (1891–1977). She had at least four younger siblings: Maurice (1918–1919), Paule Oberlaender (1920–2006), Christiane (born 1922), and Marcelle (born 1924).

On 20 December 1940, she married Pierre Jacques Oberlaender (1914–2007) in Saint-Clair-du-Rhône. She met her husband at the age of 24 while spending a summer with her grandparents. They later married in the town where they first met. A career soldier, her husband was posted to several countries—including Germany, Austria, and Tunisia—before they went on to raise a family of six children.

After being widowed in 2007, she chose to move closer to one of her daughters and settled in Bron. At 107, she was reported to spend her days listening to the radio. Although her eyesight no longer allowed her to watch television or knit, her memory remained excellent. When asked about the secret to her longevity, she attributed it to eating well, enjoying an occasional drink, and never giving up her coffee. At the time, she had 18 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.