114 Archives

LongeviQuest is delighted to announce that Germany’s oldest person ever turned 114 years old. Charlotte Kretschmann celebrated her milestone surrounded by friends and family on 3 December 2023. She holds the record as the oldest person ever to have resided in Germany.

Charlotte Kretschmann’s 114th birthday celebration
(Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/C0ZdW0Kr_d2/)

Charlotte Kretschmann was born in Wrocław, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland (then German Empire) on 3 December 1909. She developed a passion for athletics during her youth. Through her involvement in an athletics club, she met her future husband. They married and had a daughter. With the outbreak of World War II, her husband was deployed to France as a soldier, while Kretschmann sought refuge westward with their daughter. Following the war’s end, the Red Cross facilitated the couple’s reunion, and they settled in Stuttgart.

Kretschmann maintained her independence well into her centennial years. However, in 2014, after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage, she transitioned to a nursing home. Despite her advanced age, Kretschmann remained an avid reader, enjoyed a glass of red wine with her meals, and had a sweet tooth for chocolate. She attributes her longevity to a combination of vigorous exercise (even during winter) and a happy childhood.

Kretschmann became the oldest living person in Germany on 18 September 2022, following the death of 113-year-old Anna Cernohorsky. On 8 February 2023, following the death of Maria Aulenbacher of South Carolina, USA, Kretschmann became the oldest living German person in the world. On 8 August 2023, she surpassed the final age of Josefine Ollmann, becoming the oldest person to ever live in Germany.

For more information, please view Kretschmann’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is pleased to share that Masa Matsumoto turns 114 years old. She is a Japanese supercentenarian known as the oldest living person in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Mrs. Matsumoto celebrated her 114th birthday on 29 November 2023 by meeting with her family. She received a stuffed bunny prepared by her great-grandchildren. At the celebration, she had several conversations with her family as she was feeling well and awake.

Masa Matsumoto at 114

Mrs. Matsumoto even got excited at the news of seeing her granddaughter at the end of the year, as reported by her daughter. She exclaimed, “I’m so happy!” after hearing the news.

Her family was also impressed by the 38 messages sent from all over the world congratulating Mrs. Matsumoto’s birthday celebration.

LongeviQuest Japan presented Mrs. Matsumoto with a plaque and a Phalaenopsis orchid.

On 1 October 2023, LongeviQuest had the honor of visiting Mrs. Matsumoto to celebrate her longevity together with her family. At that time, LQ presented her with a plaque to certify her as the oldest living person in Kanagawa Prefecture. The plaque even came with a Phalaenopsis orchid which she remarked “It’s beautiful.”

Masa Matsumoto was born on 29 November 1909 in Kōnan-cho, Kōka District (now part of the city of Kōka), Shiga Prefecture, Japan. She currently resides in a nursing home in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

LongeviQuest sends our warmest greetings for Mrs. Matsumoto’s 114th birthday celebration.

For more information, please visit Masa Matsumoto’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Katie Hatton of the United States at age 114. She was born in Spanish Camp, Texas, United States on 18 December 1877. Her parents were freed slaves. As a girl, Hatton assisted her father on the farm.

Hatton went to school in the Camp Zion Community at Spanish Camp and later attended Guadalupe College in Seguin. At some point, Hatton got married and had at least three children. Hatton was a member of the Camp Zion Baptist Church for more than 75 years.

At the age of 111, she surpassed Martha King‘s final age, becoming the oldest person ever to live in Texas. Subsequently, she likely became the first person in Texas to reach the ages of 112, 113, and 114. She held this title until (at least) 8 November 1995, when her final age was surpassed by Irene Frank.

Hatton passed away in Spanish Camp, Texas, USA, on 24 January 1992. Following her death, Kate Bottom (1881–1992) became the oldest (known) living person in Texas. She was survived by her three children, 13 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

LongeviQuest congratulates Katie Hatton’s family on her posthumous recognition.

For more information, please view Hatton’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is delighted to announce that Tane Matsubara turned 114 years old on 15 October 2023. She is currently the oldest living person in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

In September 2022, aged 112.
(Source: Hokkaido Shimbun)

Tane Matsubara was born in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, on 15 October 1909, as the eldest of ten children. At the age of 20, she got married and had eight children. Their family lived in Imakane in Hiyama Subprefecture. In 1936, she moved to Biratori, where she sold tofu.

She moved into a nursing home in Tomakomai in 2007. Even as a supercentenarian, she was able to read newspapers, and if there was something she didn’t know, she would ask around and learn. As of 2022, she had 18 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

After 112-year-old Take Taniguchi of Muroran went into limbo in December 2021, Mrs. Matsubara became the oldest living person in Hokkaido Prefecture.

For more information, please view Tane Matsubara’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is delighted to share that Pearl Berg, the 10^th oldest living person in the world, turns 114 years old. She is an American supercentenarian born on 1 October 1909 who is also the second-oldest living person in California, USA.

Pearl Berg was born in Evansville, Indiana, USA, to parents who are of Polish and Russian descent.

In November 1931, she married Mark Berg, an immigrant from Ukraine, and had two sons together.

With her husband, Mark, in 1931.

In 1937, she became a member of Temple Israel and continues to attend occasional services at the synagogue. Because of her longevity, she earned the title of being the oldest living Jew in the world. Pearl was tasked to write notes to bereaved families on behalf of the Temple Israel’s Sisterhood, which she was still doing until she was 105 years old.

Pearl is now the 10^th oldest living person in the world, 3^rd oldest living American, 2^nd oldest living person from California, and the oldest living Jewish person in the world.

Berg on her 113th birthday in 2022.
(Source: Gerontology Wiki)

Pearl Berg is currently residing at her own home in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA.

LongeviQuest sends our warmest greetings to Mrs. Pearl Berg and her family and friends for her 114^th birthday celebration.

For more information, please visit Pearl Berg’s Directory Profile here.

Yomitan Village, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan – On September 19, 2023, our team had the honor of visiting the younger sister of the world’s oldest pair of siblings in history, the 15th oldest living person in the world, and the second-oldest known living person in Okinawa Prefecture, Mrs. Kikue Taira. In most families, one person reaching the age of 113 would be a unique achievement, but Mrs. Taira’s sister, Kame Ganeko, lived to the age of 114.

Mrs. Taira (106 at the time) with her sister Mrs. Ganeko (111 at the time) in June 2016

Mrs. Taira was presented with two plaques and a bouquet of flowers at Yomitan No Sato, a special nursing home for the elderly. One of the plaques was addressed to her, and one to her older sister, Mrs. Ganeko, who at the time of her death on October 18th 2019, was the second-oldest ever person from Okinawa Prefecture and the seventh-oldest person in the world. The plaques certified the sisters’ status as the world’s oldest ever pair of siblings, with a combined age of over 227 years.

Mrs. Taira holding the plaque honoring her and her sister

LongeviQuest Japan President Yumi Yamamoto had the privilege of carrying out the visit, where she was warmly welcomed by two of Mrs. Taira’s grandchildren, who expressed deep gratitude for the acknowledgement of their grandmother’s incredible achievement. Mrs. Taira is hard of hearing, but when spoken to loudly up close can still understand what is being said. When Yamamoto congratulated her on her achievement, she clearly stated her date of birth, demonstrating an awareness of the celebration being held in her honor.

Mrs. Taira with her granddaughter Naomi Yabiku and LongeviQuest’s Yumi Yamamoto

Mrs. Taira was born on 26th April 1910 (Meiji 43) in Yomitanson, Okinawa Prefecture, the third of four sisters, preceded by her older sister and fellow supercentenarian, Kame Ganeko. Mrs. Taira moved to Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture as a teenager to work as a textile spinner before moving back to Okinawa in her early 20’s where she married Mr. Ryoshin, with whom she had 6 children. She lived on her own for 24 years between the ages of 73 and 97 before entering care after injuring her femur in a fall at home.

Yumi Yamamoto speaking with Kikue Taira

Mrs. Taira was said to be very close to her older sister, whom she supported by visiting the nursing home she lived in well into old age. Her granddaughters described her as a “kind, vibrant person who always had a smile on her face” – a warmth which could be felt when they shared stories of the great joy she took in cooking traditional Okinawan food for her family. A woman of varied interests, Mrs. Taira was an avid knitter in her younger years and enjoyed cultivating flowers in her garden, an activity which she continued until entering care at the age of 97, demonstrating her strong sense of self-reliance and physical capability. From an early age, she had a passion for food, which the nursing staff informed us continues to this day. Her grandchildren believe her hearty appetite has likely contributed to her longevity.

Mrs. Taira posing with her granddaughter Naomi Yabiku and LongeviQuest representatives Yumi Yamamoto and Jack Steer

We deeply appreciate and thank to the Kikue Taira’s family and nursing home staff who received LongeviQuest team very warmly and our photographer Mr. Nomoto Shunki for the beautiful photos.

LongeviQuest is delighted to report that Okagi Hayashi, the oldest known living person in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, celebrated her 114th birthday on 2 September 2023. LongeviQuest Japan has sent 70 congratulatory emails from her fans all over the world. She also received heartwarming messages from her relatives. Mrs. Hayashi was reported to be very happy reading the messages she received on her special day.

Due to an outbreak of COVID-19 at the nursing home where she lives, LongeviQuest Japan could not visit her in person so we sent a celebratory plaque and flowers instead.

Mrs. Okagi Hayashi with her granddaughter with the congratulatory letter from her relatives.

Mrs. Hayashi was born in the village of Tsumagi (now Tsumagicho, Toki City), Gifu Prefecture, Japan, on 2 September 1909. She married her husband in her early twenties, and they had nine children together. Her husband was adopted into the Hayashi family, so she was able to keep her maiden name.

Mrs. Hayashi had always taken good care of her health in her middle life. She drank a glass of green juice every morning and exercised regularly with her husband. Even into her 80s, she was still active and enjoyed going on hot spring trips and gardening with her friends.

Mrs. Hayashi practiced calligraphy until she was in her 90s. She lived with her family in her home until she was 105. In September 2019, she had 8 living children, 22 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. At the age of 112, she was still able to read newspapers and enjoyed playing puzzle games.

On 24 June 2019, she became the oldest living person in Gifu Prefecture following the death of 110-year-old Tsuyo Wada.

LongeviQuest sends our warmest congratulations to Mrs. Okagi Hayashi and her family. We wish you good health and happiness.

LongeviQuest recently reviewed the case of Myrtle Dorsey of the United States– a previously validated supercentenarian who was believed to be the world’s second-oldest person at the time of her death, as well as the oldest resident of the United States.

Initially, her age was validated as 22 November 1885 by the Gerontology Research Group and was recognized during her lifetime as the oldest living person in the United States. However, in August 2023, after reviewing documentation discovered by Jimmy Lindberg, the Global Validation Commission reached the conclusion that Dorsey was two days older. She was discovered to be born on November 20, 1885. Therefore, her final age was not 114 years, 216 days, but 114 years, 218 days.

At the time of her death, she was only 2 weeks younger than the oldest living person titleholder, Eva Morris.

For more information, please view Dorsey’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest recently reviewed the case of Mary Bidwell of the United States – a previously validated supercentenarian who held the title of the oldest individual from the U.S. state of Connecticut passing on 25 April 1996, at the age of 114.

Initially, Guinness World Records validated Bidwell’s birthdate as 19 May 1881. However, after a thorough review of documents discovered by Jimmy Lindberg, the Global Validation Commission concluded that she was actually born ten days earlier, on 9 May 1881. This was the date that Bidwell had always claimed as her birthdate. Therefore, her final age was not 114 years, 342 days, but 114 years, 352 days.

To this day she still holds the record for being the oldest individual from the U.S. state of Connecticut, both in terms of birthplace and deathplace.

For more information, please view Bidwell’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is delighted to share that the United Kingdom’s oldest living person, Ethel Caterham, turned 114 years old. She is a British supercentenarian known as the last surviving person in the UK born in the 1900s decade.

Ethel Caterham was born on 21 August 1909 in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England.

In 1927, when she was 18 years old, she worked as a nanny for a British family in India. She traveled alone by ship to India for three weeks and then worked there for three years before returning to England.

Ethel met her British Army major husband at a dinner party in 1931. Later on, they were married in Salisbury Cathedral. The couple lived together in Harnham, England, but they were stationed in Hong Kong and Gibraltar after.

On her 111th birthday. source: Gerontology Wiki

She lived most of her life in Surrey, England, for about 50 years. Caterham celebrated her 111^th birthday in August 2020 by having a tea party which earned a visit from the Mayor of Surrey Heath. This was due to the fact that she became the oldest known living person in Surrey on 17 January 2019.

LongeviQuest extends our warmest greetings to Ethel Caterham and her family on this joyful celebration of her life.

For more information, please visit Ethel Caterham’s Directory Profile here.