The secret to living a long life is something that’s been discussed and hotly debated by scientists, lifestyle gurus, doctors, your aunt, my aunt, the fad dieters at your gym, and all their aunts too. Often, the suggestions have to deal with simply abstaining. However, sometimes it can be nice to hear that you can still enjoy your favorite treats. So without further ado, Europe’s oldest living person (as of 2018), is here to reassure you that you can.
Who Was Europe’s Oldest Living Person?
Her name was Giuseppina Projetto, and she spent all 116 years of her life in Italy. When she died, on July 6th, 2018, she was known as Europe’s oldest living person. She is now listed as Europe’s 6th oldest person of all time (that we know of). (1, 2)
Who Is Europe’s Oldest Living Person Now?
As of September 2020, that honor goes to Lucile Randon, a Frenchwoman who is also 116. However, as with so many things, the idea of who is the oldest living is a thorny question. Now, we live in an age of records. However, when many supercentenarians were born, births were less recorded, and more a matter of family knowledge. It can be hard to validate an age that has been noted only by word of mouth. It only gets more difficult when those people age, and the people who were there for their birth die. (2)
The Wisdom Of Giuseppina Projetto, Oldest Living Person In Europe 2018
“She has stood the test of time with firmness, optimism, [and] dignity,” says Giulia Mannozzi, Projetto’s daughter-in-law. “And a great love for life.” Projetto was referred to as the nonna, or grandmother, of Italy, due to her exceptionally long life.
As for Projetto, she believed her advanced age was a result of two things: eating chocolate every day and having a positive attitude. When Projetto passed away, the title of Europe’s oldest living person went to Maria Giuseppa Robucci, who ended up passing away almost a year later, on June 18th, 2019. (1, 2, 3)
Maria Robucci’s Advice For A Long Life
After Projetto’s passing, Maria Giuseppa Robucci was asked what her secret for living so long was. Robucci, who was named Italy’s oldest mayor in 2015, after being named honorary mayor of Poggio Imperiale, had advice that was less “fun” than Projetto’s, but probably more practical: avoid alcohol and cigarettes. Interestingly, despite eschewing drinking, she and her husband, who passed away in 1982, ran a bar together. (1)
Lucile Randon, Europe’s Current Oldest Living Person.
Back in 2019, Randon said, “may the good Lord come and take me soon . . .to relieve the people who take care of me and so that I can find my family and friends. 115 years is enough, I hope God will take me this year.” However, she is still alive, and close to having her 117th birthday!
Whatever her wishes in 2019, Randon trusts in God. She became a nun at 41 years old, and worked for 31 years in a hospital. When asked the secret to longevity, she says, “the secret I don’t know, it’s the good God who can tell!” (4)
