The Oldest Person Alive Today: A Look into the Life of Kane Tanaka
Have you ever wondered who the oldest person alive today is? Meet Kane Tanaka, a Japanese supercentenarian who holds the title of the world’s oldest verified person still living as of May 2021. Born on January 2, 1903, Tanaka is 118 years old and has lived through some of the most significant events in human history.
Early Years and Family Life
Tanaka was born in the city of Wajiro, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. She was the seventh child in a family of nine siblings and grew up in a traditional Japanese household. Despite the financial difficulties faced by her family, Tanaka had a happy childhood and was particularly fond of playing board games.
In 1922, Tanaka married Hideo Tanaka, an employee of her father’s company, and the couple settled in Higashi-ku, Fukuoka. They had four children together and ran a successful rice shop until Hideo was drafted into the Japanese army in 1944.
Challenges Faced during World War II
During World War II, Tanaka and her family experienced many hardships. They were forced to evacuate their home and move to a rural area, where they struggled to find food and other basic necessities. Tanaka even recalled having to eat grass and miso soup made from wild soybeans to survive.
After the war, Tanaka’s husband returned home, but their rice shop was destroyed. They rebuilt their business and continued to thrive. Unfortunately, Hideo passed away in 1993, leaving Tanaka a widow after over 70 years of marriage.
Life as a Supercentenarian
Despite the challenges she has faced throughout her life, Tanaka remains an active and healthy supercentenarian. She enjoys playing board games, solving arithmetic problems, and watching sumo wrestling on television. Tanaka also maintains a healthy diet, consuming three meals a day, with rice and fish being her favorites.
In 2019, Tanaka was recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living person at the age of 116 years and 66 days. She attributes her longevity to her positive outlook on life, saying, “It’s important to be positive and to look after your health.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, Kane Tanaka’s life is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her 118 years of life, she has remained positive and continues to enjoy her hobbies and spending time with her family. Tanaka’s story is an inspiration to us all and reminds us that life is a precious gift that should be treasured and enjoyed to the fullest.
