Farewell to America's oldest: Elizabeth Francis at 115
Although the average lifespan is gradually increasing due to medical advancements, reaching one hundred is an impressive achievement. On October 22, 2024, Americans bid farewell to their longest-living citizen, Elizabeth Francis. She reached the remarkable age of 115 years.
26 October 2024 11:31
Elizabeth Francis, the oldest American, passed away on October 22 at the age of 115 in her home in Houston. In her final moments, she was surrounded by her daughter, who is 95, and her granddaughter, aged 69. They lived with and cared for her before her passing. The family reported that she departed peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones.
Elizabeth lived through two world wars, major epidemics, significant social changes, and saw the terms of up to 20 U.S. presidents. She witnessed the development of technology, the emergence of phones, television, and the internet. Despite this, in conversations with journalists, she mentioned that she remembered little about world history, focusing mainly on her family's history.
The secret of longevity
Elizabeth Francis was born on July 25, 1909, in Louisiana. After her mother's death, she and her five siblings were sent to different homes, and Francis ended up in Houston, where she was raised by her aunt.
- And she would always say, treat people like you want to be treated. And that was her motto - said the deceased woman's granddaughter in an interview with "ABC News".
In one interview, Francis said that her secret to a long life was faith in God and eating fresh produce from her own garden. She also avoided addictions, never smoked, and never drank alcohol. Despite the passage of years, she did not need glasses and said her hearing was as sharp as ever.
- She did have a garden. A lot of her food came out of her garden. She would cook herself - said Ethel Harrison in an interview with "6abc" in June.
She leaves behind her 95-year-old daughter in deep sorrow and a large family, including three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
Her sister, Bertha Johnson, also lived to an impressive old age, having passed away in 2011 at 106. The women were acknowledged as the oldest siblings in the world.
Increasing number of centenarians
At the time of her passing, Francis was the third oldest living person in the world, according to an organization, and one of the 21 longest-living individuals in the history of the United States.
The advancement in medicine, improved quality of life, and progress in nutrition mean that more people are reaching a very advanced age. The number of centenarians globally is currently around 455,000. Demographic forecasts suggest that by 2050, this number could double.
