Marie-Louise Meilleur

Canadian supercentenarian (1880–1998)

Marie-Louise Meilleur (August 29, 1880 – April 16, 1998[1]) was a Canadian supercentenarian who is the oldest person ever from Canada.

A vegetarian who never drank alcohol, she was also an avid cigarette smoker until well into her 90s. Meilleur was always quick to tell everyone that her grandfather once sat on Napoleon Bonaparte's knee.[2]

On March 20, 1993, Lillian Ross died, Meilleur became the oldest living person in Canada.

On August 4, 1997, Jeanne Calment died, and Meilleur, 116 years, 340 days, became the oldest living person in the world.[1]

On August 29, 1997, Meilleur became the 3rd verified person in human history to reach age 117 after Jeanne Calment and Delphia Welford.

On November 4, 1997, with the age of 117 years and 67 days, surpassed the lifespan of Delphia Welford[3] to become the 2nd-oldest person ever, although Shigechiyo Izumi was still believed to be older at the time of his death. Izumi's record was withdrawn by Guinness World Records in 2010.[4]

On April 16, 1998, Meilleur died, 117 years 230 days, and Sarah Knauss became the oldest living person.[1] She died of blood clot. At the time of her death, she had 85 grandchildren, 80 great-grandchildren, 57 great-great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-great-grandchildren.[2]

References change

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Table C - World's Oldest Person (WOP) Titleholders Since 1955 Gerontology Research Group
  2. 2.0 2.1 Photo Gallery for Supercentenarians born in the year 1880, as of August 17, 2019. Gerontology Research Group
  3. "Historical validations by the Gerontology Research Group". Archived from the original on 2023-05-02. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  4. Craig Glenday (2011). Guinness Book of World Records. p. 211.
Preceded by
Jeanne Calment
Oldest Recognized Living Person
August 4, 1997 – April 16, 1998
Succeeded by
Sarah Knauss