Zoomerang96 said:
here's her pic:
World's Oldest Person Turns 115
Monday September 16, 2002 7:50 AM
TOKYO (AP) - Kamato Hongo, the world's oldest person according to the Guinness Book of Records, turned 115 on Monday.
Hongo slept through the morning of her birthday but planned to celebrate with her family in the afternoon, Japanese media reported.
She lives with her 78-year old daughter on the southern island of Kyushu, which has a reputation for record-breaking longevity among its residents.
Born Sept. 16, 1887, Hongo was raised on a farm and counts Japanese sake among her favorite things, along with black salt, pork, sashimi, and green tea, according to Guinness. She also likes traditional Japanese dancing.
Hongo requires constant care and is slightly hard of hearing. She has been confined to a bed and wheelchair since she injured her hip in 1998, according to a Japanese nursing care and welfare website.
Her birthday comes a day after the Japanese national holiday known as Respect for the Aged Day. Because it fell on a Sunday this year, the holiday was being celebrated Monday.
Hongo has seven children and more than 20 grandchildren. She has outlived her eldest daughter, who died two years ago while in her 90s.
Hongo became the world's oldest person on March 20, after the death of Maud Farris-Luse, of Coldwater, Mich. Farris-Luse lived 115 years and 56 days, according to Guinness.
The world's oldest man is also Japanese. Yukichi Chuganji, who is 113 years old, also lives on Kyushu.
Japanese have the longest life expectancy in the world, with women averaging 84.93 years and men 78.07 years in 2001.
The average life expectancy in the United States stands at 77.26, according to the CIA World Factbook.
