BIOGRAPHY

Valesca Tanganelli was born in Florence, Tuscany, Italy, on 7 July 1907. She graduated in Literature from the University of Florence. After marrying, she moved to Borgo a Buggiano to support her husband, Francesco Pirolo, who had secured a position as the town’s general practitioner. She had at least two children, Gioacchino and Daniela Pirolo.

Driven by her love of culture and independent spirit, she pursued a career in education, eventually becoming the principal of the Dante Alighieri Middle School in Montecatini, a role she held until retirement. However, retirement did not mean slowing down. She enrolled in the university for seniors, where she remained an active student for many years. At the same time, as a devoted grandmother, she dedicated many afternoons to helping her grandchildren with their studies.

Widowed around the age of 70, she remained steadfast in her independence, choosing to live alone while staying just a few meters away from her children. A passionate Fiorentina fan, she even purchased a season ticket to the stadium and, until the age of 90, never missed a Sunday match.

Valesca Tanganelli passed away in Buggiano, Tuscany, Italy, on 4 March 2020, at the age of 112 years, 241 days.

RECOGNITION

Following the death of Anna Benericetti on 11 December 2019, she became the oldest living person in Italy. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Erminia Bianchini.

Tanganelli’s age was verified by Paolo Scarabaggio and Alessandro Delucchi, and was validated by the European Supercentenarian Organisation (ESO) on 12 January 2020.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Valesca è la nonna della Valdinievole: festeggia 110 anni” – Il Tirreno, 6 July 2017

* “Compie 111 la nonna più anziana della Toscana: Valesca Tanganelli, ancora una forza della natura” – Go News, 8 July 2018

* “La preside Valesca Tanganelli è la donna più longeva d’Italia” – Il Tirreno, 16 December 2019

GALLERY