U.S. woman dies at 116 after six-day reign as world’s oldest person

Gertrude Weaver, who last week became the world’s oldest-known living person, has died at the age of 116 at a senior care facility in Arkansas, officials said on Monday. Weaver, who said the key to longevity was to treat people kindly, basked in her brief moment in the global spotlight. Weaver became the oldest person in the world after the death of a 117-year-old Japanese woman last week, according to records kept by the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group. Weaver was born in 1898.

She enjoyed being read news articles about being the oldest person on the planet.

Kathy Langley, the administrator of the Silver Oaks Health & Rehabilitation Center in Camden, Arkansas.

The Williams Funeral Home confirmed Weaver died just after 10am Monday at the Silver Oaks Health and Rehabilitation Center in Camden, about 100 miles southwest of Little Rock. Camden Mayor Marie Trisollini chatted with Weaver last week when the supercentenarian’s roommate celebrated her 100th birthday. Weaver, who was born in southwest Arkansas to sharecropper parents, told nursing home staff last week that she wanted to invite President Barack Obama because she had voted for him twice.

When you asked for advice on how to live a long life she would say, ‘Use a lot of skin moisturizer, treat everyone nice, love your neighbor and eat your own cooking. Don’t eat at fast food places.

Marie Trisollini, Camden Mayor

Americas World's Oldest