UPI – The world’s oldest living person, Tomiko Itooka, was honoured on Japan’s Respect for the Aged Day at the age of 116. She assumed the title after the passing of Maria Branyas Morera, who had lived to 117.
Itooka, who outlived her husband, who passed away in 1979, enjoyed her independence and had a love for climbing mountains, according to her son, Hiroshi Kai.
She didn’t slow down after turning 80, completing a Buddhist pilgrimage that included visits to some 33 temples.
She didn’t use a walking cane when visiting a shrine after her 100th birthday.
Guinness World Records noted that, in addition to being the oldest human alive today, she is also ranks 23 in the list of oldest humans to ever exist.
