Home News Leg 5

122 Years And 164 Days: The Shocking True Story Of The Oldest Person Who Ever Lived

• minute read
Contents

The question of "how old is the oldest person to ever live" is more than a simple trivia fact; it represents the absolute limit of human biology, a boundary that has remained unbroken for decades. As of December 2025, the greatest fully authenticated age to which any human has ever lived stands at an astonishing 122 years and 164 days, a record held by a French woman whose life story is as extraordinary as her longevity. This article dives deep into the biography of the record-holder, the fascinating and controversial details of her life, and the cutting-edge science attempting to understand, and perhaps one day surpass, this incredible human milestone.

The individual who holds this ultimate title is Jeanne Louise Calment, a woman born in the 19th century who witnessed the invention of the automobile, the rise and fall of empires, two World Wars, and the dawn of the digital age. Her documented lifespan is not just a number; it is a profound testament to the rare confluence of genetics, lifestyle, and environment that allows a person to become a true supercentenarian, living far beyond the typical life expectancy of her generation. Her story is a cornerstone of modern gerontology and the global study of extreme longevity.

The Undisputed Queen of Longevity: Jeanne Calment’s Complete Biography

The record for the longest human lifespan is meticulously verified by organizations like the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) and Guinness World Records. Jeanne Calment’s age has been subject to intense scrutiny, including recent controversial theories suggesting an identity switch with her daughter, but rigorous demographic and mathematical studies have consistently re-validated her claim, confirming her status as the oldest person to ever live.

Here is a complete profile of the woman who set the gold standard for human life:

  • Full Name: Jeanne Louise Calment
  • Nationality: French
  • Date of Birth: February 21, 1875
  • Place of Birth: Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône, France
  • Date of Death: August 4, 1997
  • Place of Death: Arles, France
  • Final Verified Age: 122 years and 164 days
  • Husband: Fernand Nicolas Calment (Cousin)
  • Child: Yvonne Marie Nicolle Calment (Daughter)
  • Grandchild: Frédéric Billiot (Grandson)
  • Historical Context: She was born 14 years before the Eiffel Tower was completed and died in the late 20th century. She is famously noted to have met Vincent van Gogh in 1888 at her uncle's shop when she was 13 years old.

Calment’s longevity is so extreme that she is the only person in history whose age has been verified to have reached 120 years.

The Infamous 'Viager' Contract: A Deal of a Lifetime

One of the most captivating and often-cited stories from Jeanne Calment’s life revolves around a unique French legal agreement known as a *viager*, or "life annuity" contract. This anecdote perfectly illustrates the sheer improbability of her lifespan and has become a legendary tale in the world of real estate and extreme aging.

The Terms of the Deal

In 1965, when Calment was 90 years old, she was a widow with no heirs and decided to sell her apartment in Arles under a *viager* contract to a local lawyer named André-François Raffray.

The terms of a *viager* are straightforward: the buyer (Raffray) agrees to pay the seller (Calment) a fixed monthly sum until the seller dies, at which point the buyer takes full possession of the property. For Raffray, it seemed like a shrewd investment, as Calment was already considered an elderly woman, and he was a relatively young man of 47.

The Unexpected Outcome

Raffray expected to pay the annuity for a few years before inheriting the property. However, Jeanne Calment lived for another 32 years.

In a bizarre twist of fate, André-François Raffray died in 1995 at the age of 77—two years before Calment—having paid her the equivalent of more than double the apartment’s market value. His family was legally obliged to continue the payments until Calment's death in 1997. Calment, with her characteristic wit, reportedly commented on the situation, saying, "In life, one sometimes makes bad deals."

The Science of Extreme Longevity: What Does Calment Teach Us?

Jeanne Calment and other supercentenarians—individuals who live to 110 or older—are a focal point for the scientific field of gerontology, the study of aging. The question is not just *how* she lived so long, but *why* she surpassed every other human on record by such a significant margin.

Key Factors in Lifespan

Research suggests that extreme longevity is a complex interplay of several factors, with genetics playing a more dominant role in supercentenarians than in those who only reach 80 or 90.

  • Genetics: Scientists are studying families with a history of extreme longevity to identify specific "longevity genes." While no single gene is responsible, variations in genes like FoxO3 are often associated with a longer lifespan.
  • Lifestyle: Calment's habits were surprisingly unconventional. She rode a bicycle until she was 100, smoked cigarettes until she was 117, and enjoyed a diet rich in olive oil, which she also rubbed on her skin. She also reportedly consumed port wine and nearly a kilogram of chocolate per week. Her low-stress, comfortable life and strong social network are also considered significant environmental factors.
  • Environment: Living in a relatively low-pollution, Mediterranean environment like Arles may have provided a beneficial backdrop for her genetic predisposition.

The Maximum Human Lifespan Debate

Calment’s record reignited the debate on the theoretical maximum human lifespan. Some research suggests a biological ceiling, while others believe that breakthroughs in preventative medicine, genetic therapies, and lifestyle modifications could push the limit further.

The study of metabolomics and proteomics in supercentenarians is helping researchers understand the unique biochemical pathways that protect them from age-related diseases. The hope is that by mimicking the protective mechanisms found in people like Jeanne Calment, scientists can develop interventions to extend the healthy, active years (or "healthspan") for the general population.

The World’s Other Longevity Records

While Jeanne Calment holds the overall record, other supercentenarians are critical entities in the study of extreme longevity, demonstrating the rarity of her achievement.

The Oldest Verified Man Ever

The longest documented lifespan for a man is significantly shorter than Calment’s, highlighting the phenomenon that women overwhelmingly dominate the extreme longevity records.

  • Oldest Man: Jiroemon Kimura (Japan)
  • Age at Death: 116 years and 54 days
  • Date of Death: June 12, 2013

Kimura, who attributed his long life to staying active and eating a light diet, is a key figure in gerontology, representing the pinnacle of male longevity.

The Oldest Living Person Today (As of December 2025)

The title of the oldest living person is a constantly changing record. As of December 2025, the oldest living verified person is Ethel Caterham of the United Kingdom, who was born on August 21, 1909.

Ethel Caterham's current age of 116 makes her a supercentenarian and a subject of intense interest, as researchers continually monitor those who approach the 120-year mark set by Jeanne Calment.

Will the Record Ever Be Broken?

The record set by Jeanne Calment in 1997 has proven to be incredibly difficult to surpass. While the number of centenarians (people over 100) and even supercentenarians (over 110) is increasing globally, the jump to 122 years remains a massive biological leap.

The scientific community is divided: some believe that the current limit is a hard ceiling that only a true genetic anomaly can breach, while others are optimistic that advancements in anti-aging research, such as gene therapy and senolytics, will eventually allow a new generation to push past 122. For now, Jeanne Calment remains the ultimate benchmark, a historical figure whose life continues to inspire and challenge our understanding of the human potential for longevity.

122 Years and 164 Days: The Shocking True Story of the Oldest Person Who Ever Lived
how old is the oldest person to ever live
how old is the oldest person to ever live

Detail Author:

  • Name : Dr. Keanu Mayert II
  • Username : hlebsack
  • Email : camryn87@upton.info
  • Birthdate : 1974-04-28
  • Address : 233 Marta Island Suite 801 Lake Linda, MT 63319
  • Phone : (323) 373-5005
  • Company : Wiegand-Hauck
  • Job : Assembler
  • Bio : Ad doloribus est unde et rem reiciendis sed. Cum doloribus possimus et cupiditate et est. Dolore ex enim quasi rem.

Socials

facebook:

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/greenfeldere
  • username : greenfeldere
  • bio : Voluptatum perferendis quidem sit est ratione. Harum nam esse ut vel. Asperiores quo totam dolores.
  • followers : 124
  • following : 2498

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@greenfeldere
  • username : greenfeldere
  • bio : Voluptate quasi sit aut. Impedit perspiciatis laboriosam sit optio itaque.
  • followers : 2962
  • following : 1283

linkedin:

Random Posts