Born September 10, 1893, Maria de Jesus became the world's oldest living person after the death of American Edna Parker on November 26, also aged 115. She is vegetarian, non-smoking, teetotal farmer had only visited a hospital once in her life, outliving her husband by 57 years, and two of her five children.
De Jesus was born in a poor area in Urquiera, close to Ourem in central Portugal. She started working in agriculture at the age of 12 and never went to school, remaining unable to write and read for her entire life.
De Jesus had five children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She had no need for a mobility scooter — instead she lived on her farm and moved with a walking frame, declining nursing care. However, due to sight and hearing problems, she could not recognize her family, including daughter Madalena, 84, with whom she lived.
De Jesus never "fell ill, nor took any medication," her daughter Maria Madalena told Lusa.
She became the world's oldest person after the November 26 death of American Edna Parker, who was 115 years and 220 days old. Her position as the world's oldest person has now been taken by American Gertrude Baines, 114.
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