America's oldest citizen passes at 115, leaves legacy
Although the average lifespan is slightly increasing thanks to medical advancements, reaching the age of one hundred is still an impressive feat. On October 22, 2024, Americans bid farewell to their longest-living citizen, Elizabeth Francis, who reached the remarkable age of 115 years.
8:11 AM EDT, October 26, 2024
Elizabeth Francis, the oldest American, passed away on October 22 at the age of 115 in her home in Houston. In her final moments, she was surrounded by her daughter, aged 95, and granddaughter, aged 69, who lived with her and took care of her before her passing. The family reported that she died peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones.
Elizabeth lived through two world wars, major epidemics, witnessed significant social changes, and saw the terms of up to 20 U.S. presidents. She witnessed the development of technology, including the advent of phones, television, and the internet. Despite these experiences, in conversations with journalists, she mentioned that she remembered little about history besides the history of her family.
The secret of longevity
Elizabeth Francis was born on July 25, 1909, in Louisiana. After her mother's death, she and her five siblings were dispersed to different homes, with Francis ending up in Houston, where she was raised by her aunt.
- And she would always say, treat people like you want to be treated. And that was her motto - said the deceased woman's granddaughter in an interview with "ABC News".
In one interview, Francis attributed her long life to faith in God and eating fresh produce from her own garden. She also avoided addictions, never smoked, and never drank alcohol. Despite the passage of years, she did not need glasses and said her hearing was as good as ever.
- She did have a garden. A lot of her food came out of her garden. She would cook herself - said Ethel Harrison in an interview with "6abc" in June.
She left behind her 95-year-old daughter in deep sorrow and a large family, including three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
Her sister, Bertha Johnson, also boasted an impressive age, having passed away in 2011 at 106. The women were recognized as the oldest siblings in the world.
Increasing number of centenarians
According to reports from an organization, at the time of her death, Francis was the third oldest living person in the world and one of the 21 longest-living individuals in the history of the United States.
The development of medicine, improved quality of life, and advances in nutrition have led to an increasing number of people reaching very advanced ages. The current number of centenarians in the world stands at about 455,000. Demographic forecasts indicate that by 2050, this number could double.
