World’s oldest person and last born in 1800s celebrates birthday

Emma Morano’s life spans three centuries, two World Wars and more than 90 Italian governments.

Emma Morano, the world’s oldest living person, celebrated her 117th birthday on Tuesday.

She held a small party with a cake, and blew out the candles— not one for every year – but the three numerals 117.

Born in November 29, 1899, Morano, an Italian, is believed to be the last surviving person in the world born in the 1800s. She became the oldest living person in May.

She received a special greeting from Italy’s president Sergio Mattarella, which was read by an official, and a visit from two elderly nieces and her long-time physician to mark the milestone birthday.

The secret to her longevity may to be down to her love of eggs. “When I first knew her, she used to eat three eggs a day, two raw and one fried,” explained Morano’s doctor Carlo Bava. Today she eats two a day.

Her life spans across three centuries, two World Wars and more than 90 Italian governments.

By: AP and World Israel News Staff