In Xinjiang, Northwest China, lives Almihan Sayit, who says she was born June 25, 1886—making her 127 years old.
Earlier this month, Carmelo Flores Laura of Bolivia made headlines as potentially being the oldest living person ever documented. Bolivia’s public records show he was born July 16, 1890, making him 123 years old.
According to Guinness World Records, the oldest living person verified by original proof of birth is 115-year-old Misao Okawa of Japan. The oldest age documented in history was Jeanne Calment of France’s 122 years. Calment died in 1997.
Laura does not have a birth certificate, as they were not issued in Bolivia until the 1940s, though public records do verify his age.
Sayit has been recognized by the Gerontological Society of China (GSC) as the nation’s oldest person. Sayit said she has never been to a hospital. She had an injection and received some ear medicine once at her home.
She was married in 1903 and now has 40 descendants. She is still able to get around, feed the chickens, and play with the children in her family. She said she has always tried to keep an optimistic view of life: “There is nothing in the family that makes me upset. My children treat me very well and they love and respect me.”
Almihan Sayit, 127
Carmelo Flores Laura, 123
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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