The Associated Press has confirmed that Emma Morano, the world’s oldest person, died Saturday at her home in Italy at the age of 117.
Morano garnered attention around the world in November, when she celebrated her 117th birthday.
Morano earned the Guinness World Record as the world's oldest living person after Susannah Mushatt Jones died in May. As of November, Morano was the last known living person to have been born in the 1800s.
A relative told The Daily Telegraph that Morano said, "My word, I'm as old as the hills."
Morano was born Nov. 29, 1899, in northern Italy. Morano lived through multiple wars and worked in a factory. Morano said she was a beautiful singer in her younger days. According to the Telegraph, Morano left her husband, who she said was violent, shortly after the death of their only child. She never remarried.
Dr. Carlo Bava, Morano’s doctor, told The Associated Press in November that despite hardships, her serene attitude, along with genetics, may have helped explain her longevity. One of Morano’s sisters lived to be over 100 and another sister almost reached 100.
By 2016, Morano was almost completely deaf and her sight was limited, but she was otherwise in good health. She consumed raw eggs daily along with small amounts of meat and pasta but consumed only milk for dinner. Morano told the Italian newspaper La Stampa that she enjoyed a glass of homemade brandy each day. She went to bed early, before 7 p.m., and was an early riser, getting up before 6 a.m. A caregiver and relatives helped care for her.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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