World’s oldest known person, French nun, dies at 118

Sister André poses for a portrait on the Sainte Catherine Laboure care house in Toulon, southern France, Wednesday, April 27, 2022. The French nun who was believed to be the world's oldest particular person died at 118 in her sleep early Tuesday Jan.17, 2023, the spokesperson for her nursing house in Toulon, David Tavella, mentioned Wednesday.(Supply: AP Picture/Daniel Cole, File)

PARIS (AP) - A French nun who was believed to be the world’s oldest particular person has died just a few weeks earlier than her 119th birthday, the spokesperson for her nursing house in southern France mentioned Wednesday.

Lucile Randon, often called Sister André, was born within the city of Ales, southern France, on Feb. 11, 1904. She was additionally one of many world’s oldest survivors of COVID-19.

Spokesman David Tavella mentioned she died at 2 a.m. on Tuesday on the Sainte-Catherine-Laboure nursing house within the city of Toulon.

The Gerontology Analysis Group, which validates particulars of individuals considered 110 or older, listed her because the oldest identified particular person on the planet after the demise of Japan’s Kane Tanaka, aged 119, final 12 months.

Sister André examined constructive for the coronavirus in January 2021, shortly earlier than her 117th birthday, however she had so few signs that she didn’t even notice she was contaminated. Her survival made headlines each in France and past.

In April final 12 months, requested about her distinctive longevity by way of two world wars, she advised French media that “working … makes you reside. I labored till I used to be 108.”

She was identified to take pleasure in a every day glass of wine and chocolate.

The oldest dwelling identified particular person on the planet listed by the Gerontology Analysis Group is now American-born Maria Branyas Morera, who resides in Spain, and is 115.