Jeanne Calment, the oldest verified person to have ever lived, died in 1997 at the age of 122. Born in 1875 in Arles, France, her record has been confirmed by historians and recognized by Guinness World Records, making her the only person proven to live past 119.
Despite indulging in chocolate, wine, and even smoking until age 117, Calment remained active well into old age, cycling into her 90s and walking around her town on her 100th birthday. She lived through historic milestones including two World Wars, the invention of the light bulb, the Eiffel Tower, and the internet age.
While many wondered about her secret to longevity, medical researcher Jean-Marie Robin suggested it was her calm, stress-free outlook on life. Calment herself often credited staying active, keeping her mind engaged, and maintaining a sense of humor—once joking she had “only one wrinkle, and she was sitting on it.”