BIOGRAPHY

Sylvia Goldsholl was born in The Bronx, New York, United States on 29 December 1911. She was the eldest of four children. Her mother was educated in the Russian Empire, where she was born, while her father came from a very high-class background. She spent most of her life in her childhood home before moving to New Jersey in 2000 for care. A bookkeeper by profession, she never married or had children but remained close to her extended family. In 2010, she moved to the Allendale Community for Senior Living.

Goldsholl gained national attention in 2020 when, at 108 years old, she survived COVID-19, making her one of the oldest survivors of the virus. Her recovery earned her praise from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who called her “a tremendous spirit” and celebrated her resilience.

According to her niece, she often wrote letters to government officials about the issues that concerned her. She was also known for emphasizing the importance of education, crediting her parents for encouraging her to learn.

Sylvia Goldsholl passed away in Allendale, New Jersey, on 29 December 2021, her 110th birthday.

RECOGNITION

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “A 108-year-old New Jersey woman recovers from Covid-19” – CNN, 14 May 2020

* “108-year-old New Jersey woman who lived through Spanish flu survives coronavirus” – USA Today, 14 May 2020

* “‘Feisty’ 108-year-old woman recovers from coronavirus: ‘I was determined to survive’” – Today.com, 20 May 2020

* “Allendale woman who survived COVID at age 108 dies on her 110th birthday” – Bergen Record, 29 December 2021

GALLERY