World's Oldest Woman Dies at 116

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Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman recognized as the world’s oldest person by Guinness World Records, passed away at the age of 116 on December 29 at a care home in Ashiya, Japan. Born on May 23, 1908, in Osaka, she became the oldest living person last year after Maria Branyas, who was 117, passed away. Itooka was known for her love of bananas and Calpis, a yogurt-flavored drink. A former volleyball player, she was also noted for her lively spirit, having climbed Mount Ontake twice.

Itooka married at 20, had four children, and worked in her husband's textile factory during WWII. After his death in 1979, she lived alone in Nara. She is survived by one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren. Following her death, the title of the world’s oldest person passed to Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, who is 116 and was born 16 days after Itooka.

For the original CNN article, please see here.

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Work Cited:

Associated Press. (2025, January 4). World’s oldest person, Japanese woman Tomiko Itooka, dies at 116. https://www.cnn.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025, from https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/04/asia/tomiko-itooka-death-japan-intl/index.html

Comerford, R. (2025, January 4). Tomiko Itooka: World’s oldest person dies aged 116. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9830vpp2p0o

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