Woman Believed To Be World’s Oldest Person Dies At 124

Credit: City Government of Kabankalan / Facebook 

A woman believed to be the "oldest woman in the world" has died at the age of 124.

As reported by The New York Post, Lola Francisca Susano passed away on Monday, November 22. Prior to her passing, Susano was also believed to be the last woman alive to be born in the 19th century.

Credit: u/P_inthepool  / reddit

The Filipino supercentenarian’s death has been confirmed by officials in her home province of Kabankalan, Negros Occidental in the Philippines.

At the time of her birth, on September 11, 1897, her home country was still ruled by Spain and Queen Victoria was on the throne in Great Britain.

The local government wrote on its official Facebook account: "It is with sadness in our heart when we received the news that our beloved Lola Francisca Susano passed away early this Monday evening November 22.

Credit: City Government of Kabankalan / Facebook 

"Lola Iska is considered the oldest person in Negros Occidental and in the Philippines. Her official declaration as the oldest person in the world at 124 years old is currently validated by the Guinness World Records.

"Mayor Pedro Zayco, Jr., Vice Mayor Raul Rivera, and all city officials, as well as all the people of Kabankalan City, condole and pray with the family of Lola Iska in their period of bereavement. Lola Iska will always remain as our inspiration and pride."

Credit: City Government of Kabankalan / Facebook 

An official cause of death has yet to be released. However, according to CNN Philippines, City public information officer Jake Carlyne Gonzales has confirmed that Susano's body will be tested for Covid-19 next Tuesday, adding that she had not shown any symptoms of the disease before she died.

As reported by the outlet, the Guinness World Records were still in the process of verifying that the supercentenarian was indeed the oldest living person on Earth.

Credit: u/P_inthepool  / reddit

Had it been verified before her passing, Lola would have broken the record that had been previously held by Jeanne Calment, from France, who died at the age of 122 in 1997.

Per Metro, Lola attributed her long healthy life to a diet of mostly vegetables, little meat, no pork, and abstinence from alcohol. She also reportedly tried to keep her lungs in good health by playing the harmonica every morning.

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