BIOGRAPHY

Märta Mattsson was born in Stöde, Västernorrland, Sweden, on 20 September 1906. She grew up with her parents and siblings — an older sister, an older brother, and a half-sister ten years her junior. As a child, Märta was diligent in school and meticulous with her homework, driven largely by fear of her strict and temperamental teacher. She later attended the village school in Österlo before continuing her studies in Sundsvall, where she completed two semesters at the Vita Bandet homemaking school.

At some point, she married Olof, and together they built their farm in Österlo, where they lived until Olof’s passing in 1975. After being widowed, Märta moved to a tenant-owned apartment in Nacksta, where she lived independently for 35 years. At the age of 103, she decided it was time to have some help with her daily routines and moved to Knutshemmet in Stöde, where she could receive the care she needed.

She always had a passion for embroidery, crochet, and sewing, as well as a love for gardening. At the family farm in Österlo, she tended a well-kept flowerbed with great care. Even as a centenarian, she remained deeply curious about the world around her. At the age of 110, she still read Sundsvalls Tidning every day to keep up with news from her hometown and from around the world.

Märta Mattsson passed away in Stöde, on 18 February 2017, at the age of 110 years, 151 days.

RECOGNITION

Mattsson’s age was verified by Jimmy Lindberg and validated by the ESO on 11 March 2020.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Lyckad satsning gör att färre äldre får olämpliga läkemedel” – Allehanda, 9 March 2015

GALLERY