The Woman Who Saw Three Centuries

"Emma Morano," an elderly Italian woman whose lifespan spans three centuries, claims that her secret to longevity is being single and eating little due to her lack of teeth. According to the New York Times, Emma Morano, the last known survivor of those born in the 19th century, is preparing for her 117th birthday celebration. She was born on November 29, 1899, and is the oldest person in the world. One of the secrets to her long life seems to be avoiding conventional medical advice. As reported by The Guardian, she stated in an interview last month in her hometown of Verbania, located in northern Italy near Lake Maggiore, "I eat two eggs a day and some biscuits, that's it. I don't eat much because I have no teeth." A certificate issued by the Guinness World Records confirming Emma Morano's age as the oldest person in the world sits on a small cabinet in her room. She was the eldest child in her family, and all seven of her younger siblings passed away years ago. Mrs. Morano is aware that people are curious about her. "People come. I don't invite anyone, but they come. From America, Switzerland, Austria, Milan, Turin. They come from all over the world to see me." However, she is unsure if she will eat her birthday cake. "The last time I had a small piece of cake, it made me feel sick." Beyond occasions like her birthday, Emma Morano has lived a solitary life. In 1938, shortly after the death of her only son, she separated from her abusive husband and has lived alone since, working for years in a factory to support herself. She has always been an independent person and clings to her independence. Although she has not left her small two-room apartment in the past twenty years and has spent most of the last year in bed, she has had a full-time nurse and caregiver for the past year. Her mind still works well, but she has completely lost her hearing, speaks with difficulty, and cannot watch television due to poor eyesight. She spends most of her time sleeping or nibbling on small bits of food. For her birthday, in addition to some relatives and journalists, the mayor of Verbania is also expected to visit her and attend the ceremony. A concert featuring music from the last three centuries is planned in the city theater in her honor, and a play based on her biography titled "The Woman Who Saw Three Centuries" will be performed.