Emma Morano, born in Italy on November 29, 1899, lived to be 117, becoming the world’s oldest woman before passing in 2017. As the last known person born in the 1800s, she lived through two World Wars and over 90 Italian governments.
Her secret to longevity? A surprising diet of three eggs a day—two raw—since World War I, paired with a splash of herbal grappa. She avoided fruits and vegetables almost entirely.
Emma’s life was marked by hardship, including an abusive marriage and the tragic loss of her only child. She famously kicked out her husband in 1938, refusing to remarry. “I didn’t want to be dominated by anyone,” she once said.
Outliving all seven siblings, Emma remained fiercely independent and clear-minded until the end—an enduring symbol of resilience and quiet rebellion.
