U.S.
Español
Arabic
Story highlights
- Morano loved cookies and would hide some under her pillow
- Leaving her abusive husband also led to a long life, she said last year
(CNN)Emma Morano, the world's oldest person and the last one known to be born in the 1800s, has died.
She was 117.
The Italian was born on November 29, 1899. She held the Guinness World Record titles for oldest living person and oldest living woman.
"She joined our celebrated hall of fame with her amazing achievement when she was announced in 2016 as the oldest living female, and was officially confirmed as the last person to be born in the 1800s," Guinness World Records said in a statement on its website.
It said it will announce a new oldest person after reviewing evidence.
Morano credited her longevity to ending her abusive marriage, and a diet of raw eggs and cookies.
"I didn't want to be dominated by anyone," she told The New York Times of her 1938 separation from her husband.
Japan – Japan has the longest-living population in the world, with the average 60-year-old going on to live until age 86. Experts say this is due to good diets, active lifestyles and supportive family structure.
Hide Caption
1 of 11
Spain – Spain's version of the Mediterranean diet combined with strong family networks is believed to enhance life expectancy among its population. In Spain, average life expectancy at age 60 is 85.
Hide Caption
2 of 11
Italy – The Italian diet, combined with a climate that promotes outdoor activity, is thought to play an important role in healthy aging among Italians.
Hide Caption
3 of 11
France – France also tied second with the other countries in southern Europe with, those over 60 living to the age of 85, on average. Pictured, a couple sit on a bench in Cannes.
Hide Caption
4 of 11
Andorra – Diet and outdoor lifestyle in Andorra help to keep the country's elderly population healthy.
Hide Caption
5 of 11
Australia – The universal health care system in Australia, combined with Australians' outdoor lifestyle, help people live longer, according to experts. Pictured, a war veteran during ANZAC Day.
Hide Caption
6 of 11
New Zealand – The outdoor lifestyle and health infrastructure are credited with keeping New Zealanders healthy and living longer.
Hide Caption
7 of 11
Switzerland – Switzerland's wealth and health care system are credited with boosting the nation's longevity.
Hide Caption
8 of 11
Singapore – After Japan, Singapore has Asia's highest life expectancy at age 60.
Hide Caption
9 of 11
Monaco – The extensive wealth of the residents of Monaco is likely to be the main factor supporting health in the elderly.
Hide Caption
10 of 11
San Marino – Like many of the other long-lived countries, San Marino's strong economy and infrastructure are thought to be the reason for its long-lived residents.
Hide Caption
11 of 11
And despite her age, Morano had a childlike love of cookies, her doctor Carlo Bava said. So much so, she routinely hid them under her pillow so no one would eat them.
Morano became the world's oldest living person last year after American Susannah Mushatt Jones died at age 116.
She was five years younger than Jeanne Calment, the 122-year-old who held the title for oldest person ever.
Guinness said the oldest living man is Israel Kristal, a Holocaust survivor who turned 113 in September.