A 115-year-old woman from Michigan has been declared the oldest documented person in the world.
Jeralean Talley, who will turn 116 on May 23, climbed to the top spot after Gertrude Weaver – the world’s oldest person for just five days – died Monday (Apr 6) in Arkansas aged 116.
Weaver was crowned the oldest just last week Wednesday (Apr 1) after the death of Misao Okawa in Japan, who was 117.
Although there may be undocumented people over the age of 116, Talley of Inkster tops a list maintained by the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group, which tracks the world’s longest-living people.
“It’s truly incredible because Ms. Talley is very aware of what’s going on. Her mental state is very sharp,” Michael Kinloch, a longtime family friend told Detroit Free Press.
“It’s unfortunate that other people passed away, but this has certainly elevated her. She’s feeling no pain. She just can’t get around like she used to,” Kinloch added.
Asked for the key to her longevity, Talley gave the answer she has given before in previous interviews: “It’s coming from above. That’s the best advice I can give you. It’s not in my hands or your hands,” she said, pointing vigorously skyward with both index fingers.
Talley, who was born in 1899 in Georgia, came to Michigan in 1935 and has been there ever since.
She continued to bowl until she was 104 and still cut the grass on her lawn until a few years ago.
Equally amazing, Talley lived alone until seven years ago, when she was joined by her 77-year-old daughter Thelma Holloway, her 26-year-old granddaughter and her two-year-old great grandson Armmell.
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