116-year-old Gertrude Weaver of Arkansas, the US, is now the world’s oldest living person, according to Guinness World Records.
Gertrude Weaver was born in 1898 and lives in a nursing home in the city of Camden.
She celebrates her birthday on 4th of July, but it’s unclear whether she was born on this date as there’s no record.
Gertrude Weaver is a fan of President Barack Obama and she’s hoping he will join her to celebrate her 117th birthday.
In an interview with CBS, Gertrude Weaver said her secrets were trust in the Lord, working hard, and loving everyone you meet.
She has outlived all but one of her four children, Joe, who turns 94 this month. He visits regularly along with other family members and friends.
The announcement comes after the previous record holder, Misao Okawa from Japan, died a few weeks after her 117th birthday.
Gertrude Weaver has a few years to go to beat the oldest person ever to have lived – Jeanne Calment from France lived until she was 122 years and 164 days old.
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Japanese Misao Okawa, known as the world’s oldest living person, has died from heart failure at the age of 117.
Misao Okawa died in a nursing home in Osaka, the city she was born in on March 5, 1898.
She is survived by three children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Misao Okawa was recognized in 2013 as the world’s oldest living person, as well as the world’s oldest living woman, by Guinness World Records.
While celebrating her birthday earlier this month, Misao Okawa said that 117 years did not seem such a long time.
She also said the key to a long life was getting at least eight hours of sleep a night and eating sushi – her favorite food.
Misao Okawa said she particularly enjoyed mackerel on vinegar-steamed rice.
Her birthday celebration was shown on national television in Japan.
Born to a kimono-maker, Misao Okawa married her husband Yukio in 1919. They lived in Kobe where he ran a business. When Yukio died in 1931, Misao Okawa moved back to Osaka.
Misao Okawa lived across three centuries, seeing four emperors of Japan, six British monarchs, and 20 US presidents.
Craig Glenday, the editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, said previously of Misao Okawa: “Her impressive longevity… is an inspiration and a testament to the Japanese lifestyle.”
Misao Okawa’s name has since been taken down for the entry for the world’s oldest living person on the organization’s site.
It is not yet known who now holds that record, but the site does state that the oldest living man is Sakari Momoi, also of Japan, who turned 112 in February.
The oldest person who has ever lived according to Guinness was Jeanne Calment of France, who lived 122 years and 164 days. She died in August 1997.
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