Real Life

127 year old Mexican woman is world’s oldest living person

Leandra Becerra Lumbreras was 14 when Australia became a federation and was 82 when man first walked on the moon.
Leandra Becerra Lumbreras is the oldest person to have ever lived.

Mexican centurion Leandra Becerra Lumbreras. PHOTO: Televisa / Screenshot.

The Mexican great-great-grandmother was born on August 31, 1887 – making her 127 years old – and reportedly the oldest person to have ever lived.

The former seamstress has lived through every major historical event of the past century including two World Wars, the Mexican Revolution and the invention of television, computers and the internet.

But the centurion has tragically outlived her five children and several of her grandchildren and her current family tree extends to 55 great-great-grandchildren.

Ms Lumbreras’ family told Mexico’s El Horizonte that the key to her longevity is chocolate, lots of sleep and never getting married.

“She never ceased to be active, that’s why we think she’s lived so long,” said granddaughter Miriam Alvear.

Lumbreras reportedly lost her original birth certificate 40 years ago, and Mexican authorities are reportedly trying to verify her age as the Guinness Book of Records will not acknowledge her as the oldest living person without proof.

But hopefully Lumbreras will have a plenty of birthdays to come.

“She is entirely lucid. She blows your mind with stories from the revolution,” said Alvear.

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