French nun who was the world's oldest known person passes away

Toulon, France - The world's oldest known person, a nun called Sister André, has died, in the French city of Toulon, France. She was 118 years old.

The world's oldest known person, Sister André, died at the age of 118 years.
The world's oldest known person, Sister André, died at the age of 118 years.  © AFP/Nicolas Tucat

Sister André passed away Monday night in a nursing home, according to French news agency AFP, who cited a spokesperson for the nun.

Born Lucile Randon on February 11, 1904, Sister André has been listed as the oldest living person since the end of April last year by the Gerontology Research Group. She was considered the oldest European before the death of Japan's Kane Tanaka, who died last year.

In her, youth, Randon worked as a tutor and governor and didn't become a nun until she was in her early 40s. Recently, Sister André had been confined to a wheelchair and had struggled with her sight.

In 2021, she survived an outbreak of Covid-19 in her nursing home that killed 10 other residents, as multiple media outlets reported.

The Mayor of Toulon, Hubert Falco, took to Facebook Tuesday evening to announce Sister André's death and mourn the passing of an honorary citizen of the city.

In his heartfelt tribute, Mayor Falco described the 118-year woman as "incredibly modern" and called her a "nun with a big heart."

Cover photo: AFP/Nicolas Tucat

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