What does it take to live past 100? Few people can answer this question better than Emma Morano, who lived to be 117 and became the last known person born in the 1800s. Her remarkable longevity was shaped by a mix of genetics, dietary habits, lifestyle choices, and personal philosophy. While researchers continue to study the factors behind exceptional lifespans, Morano’s story provides insight into the habits and decisions that may contribute to a long and healthy life. From her unique diet of raw eggs to her decision to live independently, her life exemplifies how a combination of nutrition, activity, and social connections can impact aging. Examining her experiences alongside the world’s oldest people offers a glimpse into the simple yet effective routines that help people defy time.

Emma Morano: The Woman Who Lived Through Three Centuries

Emma Morano, born on November 29, 1899, in Civiasco, Italy, lived through an era of rapid transformation, witnessing three centuries unfold. The eldest of eight children, she experienced both joy and hardship, including the devastating loss of her only child at six months old. In 1938, she made the unusual decision to leave an unhappy marriage and live alone, a choice she later credited as a key factor in her longevity. Morano worked in a jute factory until 1954, then as a cook, continuing until she retired at 75. She followed a strict daily routine, eating eggs and occasionally drinking homemade grappa, believing these habits sustained her health. By the time of her death on April 15, 2017, at 117 years and 137 days, she was the world’s oldest living person and the last known individual born in the 1800s. As one of the world’s oldest people, her story continues to inspire those seeking to understand the secrets of longevity.