Broken Records

Oldest person ever

The current oldest person ever record is 122 years, held by Jeanne Calment, set on August 4, 1997. Last checked October 9, 2026.

122

years

Jeanne Calment

Arles, France, 1997

Holder
Jeanne Calment
Record
122 years
Exact figure
122 years, 164 days
Location
Arles, France
Date set
August 4, 1997
Last checked
October 9, 2026

Put it in perspective

Jeanne Calment lived through 122 years of history. Here is what changed along the way.

  1. Born1875
  2. Age 11876Bell patents the telephone
  3. Age 281903First powered airplane flight
  4. Age 391914World War I begins
  5. Age 641939World War II begins
  6. Age 941969First people walk on the Moon
  7. Age 1141989The Berlin Wall falls
  8. Age 1221997Sets the record: 122 years, 164 days

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