The nursing home where Misao lived near Osaka in Japan released a statement confirming that she passed away around 7am local time.
The news comes only one month after the Japanese great-great grandmother celebrated her landmark 117th birthday.
Born in 1898, Misao Okawa was alive when Queen Victoria was still on the throne, lived through two World Wars and witnessed 6 UK Monarchs, 4 Emperors of Japan and saw 20 US Presidents come and go.
Misao earned the official Guinness World record title of the world’s oldest living person in 2013 after the death of her fellow Japanese countryman Jiroemon Kimura, aged 116.
She outlived her husband by 83 years and said that his death in 1931 was the saddest time of her life.
Speaking to the UK’s Telegraph at the time of her birthday, Misao revealed the secret to her longevity: “You have to learn to relax.”
“Eat and sleep and you will live a long time.”
For her 117th birthday in March, Misao posed with her son Hiroshi Okawa, 92, and his wife, her great-grandchild Himaki, grandchild Takako Okaw and local Mayor of the Higashi Sumiyosho district, Mayor Ogura
It’s now believed that new world record holder is American Gertrude Weaver, who is reportedly 116 years old. The world’s oldest man Sakari Momoi celebrated his 112th birthday in February and also hails from Japan.
It’s no surprise that world record holder Misao hailed from Japan, where the elderly are revered and even celebrated annually with a Respect for the Aged national holiday. The average life expectancy for women in Japan is 87 – the highest in the world, and 80 for men.
There are an estimated 51,376 centenarians in Japan, including an amazing 282 super-centenarians – or, people who have reached the age of 110.
Misao is survived by a large family, including 4 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Our thoughts are with Misao’s family today during this difficult time.
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