Uncovering the Secrets: How Old Was the Oldest Person to Ever Live?
Every person has a life span that they are expected to live, but is it possible to outlive that expectation? In the quest for immortality, humans have always been fascinated by the concept of aging and the secret to a long life. With each passing year, new advancements in healthcare and medicine help us live longer than ever before. But what is the maximum age that a human being can possibly reach? Let’s find out as we uncover the secrets: How old was the oldest person to ever live?
The Oldest Person to Ever Live
According to Guinness World Records, the oldest person to ever live was Jeanne Calment, who lived to the ripe old age of 122 years and 164 days. Born on February 21, 1875, in Arles, France, she lived through two World Wars, the Russian Revolution, the invention of the automobile and airplane, and the birth of cinema. She passed away in 1997, having experienced a long and eventful life.
What Was Her Secret?
Jeanne Calment attributed her longevity to several factors. She was a self-proclaimed optimist who believed in living life to the fullest. She also had a love for music and played the piano until well into her 120s. Additionally, she attributed her long life to a diet rich in olive oil and lots of physical activity.
Other Accounts of Longevity
Although Jeanne Calment’s case is widely recognized as the oldest verified human lifespan, there are other accounts of extreme longevity. One such example is Li Ching-Yuen, a herbalist and martial artist from China who reportedly lived to be 256 years old. His story, however, is widely disputed and unverified.
Similarly, Shirali Muslimov from Azerbaijan claimed to have reached the age of 168 before passing away, but again, his story remains unverified.
What Science Tells Us
The question of how long a human being can live is still a subject of much debate and research. A study published in Nature in 2016 analyzed the survival curves of the world’s oldest individuals and estimated that the upper limit of human lifespan is around 115 years. The study also suggests that the average lifespan will continue to increase, but the maximum lifespan is unlikely to exceed 125 years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jeanne Calment is recognized as the oldest person to ever live, having reached the age of 122 years and 164 days. While her longevity was attributed to a positive attitude, physical activity, and a healthy diet, the scientific community still does not have a definitive answer to the question of how long a human being can live. However, with advances in medicine and technology, we can expect that the average lifespan will continue to increase and who knows, maybe one day the oldest person in the world will make it to their 130s or even beyond.
