Guinness Book of Records confirms 116-year-old Italian woman as world's oldest living person

Emma Martina Luigia Morano of Vercelli, Italy, at 116 years and 169 days old was on Monday confirmed as the world’s oldest living person by the Guinness Book of World Records. This came just days after the previous title holder, Susannah Mushatt Jones, died in her New York home at the age of
116 years, 6 months and 6 days, after a brief illness.

Morano was born on Nov. 29, 1899, and she is believed to be the only living person born in the 19th century. 

She was raised in Vercelli and has lived in the same small apartment ever since. The super-centenarian loves her home, her collection of watches and her big bed, according to Guinness.

Morano is the eldest of eight children, five daughters and three sons.

Morano married in 1926 and had a child, but experienced a terrible loss when he tragically died at 6 months old. In 1938, she left her husband and never married again.

Morano has followed the same diet routine for around 90 years - three eggs per day (two raw, one cooked), fresh Italian pasta and a dish of raw meat.

Morano also holds the record for the world’s oldest living woman and is six years younger than the oldest person to ever live -- Jeanne Calment of France, who lived until 122 years and 164 days, Guinness said.