Oldest living person: Maria Gomes Valentim sets world record (HD Video)
CARANGOLA, Brazil -- Brazilian great-great grandmother, Maria Gomes Valentim, is now the world's oldest living person at the age of 114 and 314 days.
Photo: Maria Gomes Valentim, The World's Oldest Person. Photo: AP (enlarge photo)
The previous Guinness world record for the Oldest person living was set by is Besse Cooper (née Berry Brown) (Tennessee USA, b. 26 August 1896).
Guinness World Records also recognized the oldest living man: Jiroemon Kimura (Japan), who was born 19 April 1897 and celebrated his 114th birthday in 2011.
The World's Oldest Living Person was born in 1896, when Queen Victoria was still on the throne of England, in the southwestern Brazilian town of Carangola where she still lives.
She was widowed in 1946 after a 33-year marriage and has five great-great grandchildren.
Great-granddaughter Tais Nolasco said that Grandma Quita does not take any medications to control her blood pressure or cholesterol level.
Her secret for living so long is very simple. "Whenever we ask her the secret, she says it's just minding her own business," Nolasco said.
The world's oldest living person also likes spicy food and soda, eats bread with fruit and coffee for breakfast every day, and occasionally drinks a glass of wine. She is in remarkable shape for her age.
According to relatives, Grandma Quita is able to feed herself alone and is in good health except for the fact she has to use a wheelchair.
So what is Valentim's secret to life everlasting? Quite simple, actually. She starts every morning with coffee, bread and fruit — and enjoys the occasional glass of wine.
Valentim is the first Brazilian to hold the title. Previous titleholder, Besse Cooper from Monroe, Georgia, is 48 days younger and is now the "Oldest Living North American."
