Gertrude Baines who was born in was 1894 was the world’s oldest person according to the Guiness Book of World Records. She has died at age 115. Keep reading and find out more about the remarkable story of the woman who was born in the 19th century when Grover Cleveland was the President.
Gertrude Baines was born in Shellman, Georgia in 1984. She became the oldest worldwide upon the death of Maria de Jesus, at age 115 in January 2009 who died in Portugal.
Prior to becoming the oldest on the planet, she also made headlines when she voted, at age 114, in the 2008 Presidential election, casting her vote for Barack Obama, as seen in the video below. As seen in the first video, on April 6, 2009 she celebrated her 115th birthday, and, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, she received a letter from President Obama. At the birthday celebration seen below, Robert Young, a scientist and senior consultant with Guinness World Records gives a brief presentation. He is quoted as saying, regarding such longevity:
“Living that long is like winning the genetic lottery.”
Prior to retirement, according to the publication, Gertrude Baines had worked for Ohio State University dormitories as a maid and had been living in Los Angeles at Western Convalescent Hospital for the past ten years up until her death on Friday, September 11, 2009.
In the U.S. the oldest person is believed to be Mary Josephine Ray, who is now 114 years old and lives in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. Her birthday is May 17, making her the second oldest on Earth. Now the world’s oldest person lives in Japan; Kama Chinen, whose birthday is May 10, and thus seven days older. As the Concord Monitor reports, this is according to data from Gerontology Research Group. The publication also reveals that Mary Josephine Ray is a Boston Red Sox fan who is fond of Hershey’s Kisses and ice cream.
Video of Gertrude Baines who had been the world’s oldest person is below.