Maria de Jesus

Maria de Jesus dos Santos (10 September 1893 – 2 January 2009)[1] was a Portuguese supercentenarian who was the world's oldest verified living person for 37 days, until her death at 115 years and 114 days. She assumed this status after the 26 November 2008 death of American Edna Parker, who was 115 years and 220 days old. She was the only verified person born in 1893 to live into 2009, achieving this by a mere 2 days.

Personal history
Born as Maria de Jesus, she married José dos Santos in 1919 and became a widow in 1951 (when she was 57 years old); however, as is common in Portugal, Maria de Jesus did not use her husband's last name. From that relationship five children were born, only three of whom are still living. One of those, a daughter, Madalena, was born on 25 December 1924, and lived with her mother. Jesus also left 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 6-great-great-grandchildren. [1] During her lifetime, she visited the hospital only once and was reportedly a healthy person, with the exception of her mobility, which deteriorated over her last years. Jesus worked on the land for her entire life and lived in her own house instead of a nursing home (like the majority of supercentenarians). Jesus remained fairly responsive until her last days; she was able to smile and wave to visitors. However, she could no longer recognize her family, because of serious problems with her sight and hearing. She could, however, still walk around with the aid of a walker. For activities, Jesus enjoyed looking through her old family albums, sunbathing at her porch, eating Portuguese rice pudding and ice cream, as well as taking baths. Reportedly, she never smoked nor drank alcohol nor coffee. Jesus liked eating vegetables but avoided eating meat, though she did eat fish.[2]

Longevity records

 * On 11 September 2004, Maria de Jesus, aged 111 years 1 day, moved into Gerontology Research Group list for Guinness World Records.
 * On 25 July 2005, Maria do Couto Maia-Lopes died, Maria de Jesus aged 111 years, 318 days became the oldest verified living person in Portugal.
 * On 12 August 2006, Camille Loiseau died, Maria de Jesus aged 112 years, 336 days became the oldest verified living person in Europe.
 * On 25 January 2007, Maria de Jesus aged 113 years, 137 days moved into the top 100 verified oldest people ever.
 * On 11 June 2008, Maria de Jesus aged 114 years, 275 days surpassed Maria do Couto Maia-Lopes as the oldest verified Portuguese person ever.
 * On 26 November 2008, Edna Parker died, Maria de Jesus aged 115 years, 77 days became the oldest verified living person in the world.

Death
Maria de Jesus died on 2 January 2009.[3] The cause of death was reported as septic shock. Her death left 114-year-old American Gertrude Baines as the oldest living person.[4]