Gertrude Weaver celebrated her 116th birthday in the summer of 2014. After the Gerontology Research Group found a 1900 Census form that listed her as two years old at the time, confirming her age, Weaver is now officially the oldest confirmed living American today, the 2nd oldest confirmed living person in the whole world, and the 11th oldest confirmed person in modern history.
“Normally, 116 would be old enough to be the world’s oldest person,” said Robert Young, Gerontology Research Group’s database administrator. “There’s kind of heavy competition at the moment.” Japan’s 116-year-old Misao Okawa is thought to be just a bit older than Weaver. It’s hard to know, though, since Weaver doesn’t know what her exact birthday is.
Even if she’s not number one, living to 116 is quite the feat! So what’s her secret? She cites three key principles: “Trusting in the Lord, hard work and loving everybody.”
She continues: “You have to follow God. Don’t follow anyone else. Be obedient and follow the laws and don’t worry about anything. I’ve followed him for many, many years and I ain’t tired.”
Sounds like a wise woman.