Tomiko Itooka, the 116-year-old Japanese woman who achieved the distinction of being the oldest living person in August 2024, passed away on December 29, 2024, as confirmed by Guinness World Records. Her demise was officially verified by Guinness World Records on a Saturday.
In September 2023, Itooka was bestowed with the prestigious title of the world’s oldest person when she was presented with the official certificate. Guinness World Records indicates that Itooka was born in Osaka on May 23, 1908. She reportedly pursued her education at an all-girls high school where she actively participated in volleyball. Her life took a significant turn when Japan entered World War II, as she took on the responsibility of managing the administrative tasks at her husband’s textile factory, as noted by Guinness.
According to her family, Itooka’s remarkable longevity can be attributed to her vibrant and dynamic lifestyle. Even well into her 100s, she continued engaging in challenging activities such as mountain climbing. Remarkably, she resided in her own home with her two daughters until she reached the remarkable age of 110.
Following Tomiko Itooka’s passing, the title of the oldest living person has now been transferred to Inah Canabarro Lucas, who also turned 116 years old. Lucas was born on June 8, 1908, in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, just two weeks after Itooka’s birthdate.
In a noteworthy event marking her 110th birthday in 2018, Lucas received an apostolic blessing directly from Pope Francis, underscoring the significance of her long and well-lived life. Guinness World Records highlights that Lucas is among a select group of only three individuals who are still alive that were born in the 1900s.
The transitions in the title of the oldest living person underscore the extraordinary longevity and resilience of individuals like Tomiko Itooka and Inah Canabarro Lucas, whose lives have spanned multiple centuries, serving as a testament to the remarkable journey of human existence.
