THE world’s oldest person has reportedly died aged 116 just months after being awarded the historic title.
Japanese supercentenarian Tomiko Itooka passed away at her care home on December 29, according to Guinness World Records.
Tomiko was born on 23 May 1908 and claimed her long-life was due to a love of bananas and a Japanese yogurt drink known as Calpis.
She was even an avid climber who even remarkably managed to scale a mountain when she hit 100 – without using a walking stick.
Her family believe these tricky hikes have helped her body stay healthy and led to her incredibly long life.
She became the oldest living person back in August and held onto the illustrious title for a few enjoyable months.
When she was told about being Earth’s oldest person she simply replied: “Thank you.”
Her family and friends held a touching funeral service for the historic OAP in the past few days in the Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture.
Tomiko got married at just 20 and raised two daughters and two sons.
In her youth she was often described as a “sprightly spirit”, according to officials.
This was helped by her years as a volleyball player during high school.
During World War II, while in her early thirties, Tomiko managed her husband’s textile factory’s Japanese office and tended to her four children at home.
When the 116-year-old’s husband tragically died in 1979, Tomiko lived alone in her husband’s hometown of Nara Prefecture for ten years.
Her resilience has also been seen her survive a bout of the flu in 2023.
As she celebrated her 116th birthday this year she was given flowers, a cake and a card from the mayor.
Tomiko outlived two of her own children as she left behind a son, daughter and five grandchildren.
The world’s oldest person is now 116-year-old Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, according to the Gerontology Research Group,
She was born just 16 days after Tomiko.
World’s oldest people
THE top five oldest people in the world are all women and come from across three different continents.
Inah Canabarro Lucas – Born on June 8, 1908, she is the new oldest person alive. She became a nun in the 1920s and is currently 116 years old.
Ethel Caterham was born on August 21, 1909, making her the eldest living person in the UK. She has resided in Surrey, England, for over five decades and is currently 115 years old.
Okagi Hayashi, born on September 2, 1909, holds the title of the third oldest living person, also hailing from Japan. With 8 children, 22 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren, Hayashi, now 115, has a large and loving family.
Marie-Rose Tessier – The Frenchwoman is nearly 115 and holds the record as France’s oldest person. She was born May 21, 1910 and has been a widow since her husband died in 1944.
Mine Kondo – The Japanese supercentenarian was born on September 1, 1910 making her 114 years old. She is currently the oldest known living person in Aichi Prefecture.
