UPDATED WITH VIDEO: Jamaican centenarian now world’s oldest person
Jamaican centenarian Violet Brown is now the oldest living person in the world, the Jamaica Gleaner has reported.
117-year-old Violet Brown is now the world’s oldest person, and she lives in Jamaica with her 97-year-old son https://t.co/FjyKk6YS0Q pic.twitter.com/lZrg13n7JF
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) April 19, 2017
The newspaper said that Brown, who is 117 years and 36 days old, took over from Italian Emma Morano who passed away last week.
Morano’s life spanned three centuries, two World Wars, 90 Italian governments, an abusive marriage, and the loss of her only son.
Brown was born March 10, 1900 and is believed to be one of the two remaining persons who were born in the 19th century.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressed congratulations to Brown, the newspaper said.