A WOMAN believed to be the oldest in the world has reportedly died at an incredible 122 years of age.
Lin Shemu, from the Fujian province of China, died in her sleep on 1 January.
Jam PressLin Shemu, who is believed to be the world’s oldest woman has died at 122 years old[/caption]
Jam PressThe woman revealed the key to her long life[/caption]
Jam PressHer documents state that she was born on 18 June, 1902[/caption]
Shemu’s official documents state she was born on 18 June, 1902, meaning she would have lived for a remarkable 122 years and 197 days.
The Chinese woman’s incredible age meant she lived through some of the world’s most famous events.
Shemu was just 10 years old when the Titanic sank in 1912.
She was born during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty while Theodore Roosevelt was the US President and Lord Salisbury was the Prime Minister of the UK.
Apart from loosing her eyesight and injuring her legs after a fall, the centenarian experienced no other health issues in her old age.
When she was asked about the secret of her longevity in the past, Lin answered: “Being able to eat, drink and sleep.
“They are a blessing.”
According to her family, Shemu cared for herself right to the end of her life and always had impeccable hearing and a healthy appetite.
For her whole life she lived in Fujian located between Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Shemu and her late husband had a total of seven children – three sons and two daughters.
Her youngest son turned 77 on February 4.
Speaking fondly about his mother, he said that she was good humoured and content with life, adding that if she ever felt down she would quickly pick herself back up.
Despite her record-breaking age, Shemu was never registered with the Guinness World Records to have her details verified.
According to the official records, the oldest woman in the world is Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas who is 116.
She took the top spot on 29 December when Japan’s Tomiko Itooka, who was recognised as the world’s oldest living person died at a nursing home.
Official records state that the oldest person to have ever lived was Jeanne Calment who was born in 1875 and died in 1997.
She lived for 122 years and 164 days and is the only person verified to have reached the milestone of 122 years.
If Shemu’s documents are correct, she will have beaten Calment’s record by 33 days.
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