Long-live person

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Hi All,

The below is regarding a long-lived lady.

Ecuadorean woman, 116, is world's oldest person

Fri Dec 9, 2005 12:57 PM ET

By Tim Castle

LONDON (Reuters)

- A 116-year-old Ecuadorean woman was declared the oldest person in

the world on Friday, lifting the title from a U.S. woman previously thought to

be

the oldest person alive, Guinness World Records said.

Esther Capovilla was confirmed as the oldest living person after her

family

sent details of her birth and marriage certificates to Guinness World Records.

" We only told her yesterday she was the new Guinness world record holder, " Kate

White, brand manager at the records publisher told Reuters. " We hadn't heard of

her

before. "

" She's in very good health, she's got good sight, is able to read the papers and

watch television, and doesn't walk with a stick, " White added.

Capovilla was born in Guayaqull in western Ecuador on September 14, 1889, and

lives

there today with her daughter-in-law and son.

She had five children, and has four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and

two

great-great-grandchildren.

Her husband died in 1949.

White said Capovilla had been asked what she thought about the changes she had

seen

over her life.

" She said she disliked the fact that presently it's acceptable for women to

pursue

men. And she said that every day she thanks God that she's alive, " White said.

As a girl at the turn of the century one of Capovilla's favorite pastimes was

going

to parties, where she never drank alcohol.

At the time it was the custom for women just to touch the rim of the glass with

their lips without drinking, as a sign of accepting hospitality, her family told

Guinness World Records.

Bolden, from Memphis, Tennessee, born August 15, 1890, had previously

been

regarded as the oldest living person.

Edith " Judy " Ingamell, 111 years old, from Enfield north of London, became the

oldest woman in Britain after the death on Wednesday of the previous title

holder

Lucy

d'Abreu, Guinness World Records said.

D'Abreu, who lived to 113, attributed her longevity to a daily dose of brandy

and

dry ginger ale.

Emiliano Mercado Del Toro, from Puerto Rico, born August 21, 1891, is the

world's

oldest living man, aged 114, says Guinness World Records.

Al Pater, PhD; email: old542000@...

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