Jeanne Calment, the oldest verified person in recorded history, lived to the age of 122, passing away in 1997. Born in 1875 in Arles, France, her age was thoroughly verified through official records, earning her recognition in Guinness World Records and making her the only confirmed person to live beyond 119 years.
Despite an unconventional lifestyle that included eating chocolate regularly, drinking wine, and smoking until age 117, Calment remained relatively healthy and active well into old age. She rode a bicycle into her 90s and stayed independent past 100.
Her life spanned extraordinary historical change, from the construction of the Eiffel Tower to the dawn of the internet age. Jeanne Calment’s longevity continues to intrigue scientists and the public, challenging common ideas about aging and health.
