World’s Oldest Person Alive At 117, Celebrates Birthday In Italy

Emma Morano is now the only living person who was born in the 1800s.

Emma Morano holds a cake with candles marking 117 years in the day of her birthday in Verbania, Italy (Image: AP)

Emma Morano, recently celebrated her birthday at her home in Verbania, Italy, as turned a 117. She is now the world’s oldest living person. She celebrated her special day by blowing out candles on her birthday cake, and was joined by her two elderly nieces, a pair of caregivers and her long-time physician.

Besides happily receiving some presents from her loved ones, Morano received a greeting from Italy's president, read by an official, wishing her "serenity and good health," and appeared for a brief live broadcast on state-run television.

Emma Morano, recently celebrated her birthday at her home in Verbania, Italy, as turned a 117. (Image: AP)

As she blew out the candles, she exclaimed, “I hope I don’t have to cut it!”. Her doctor too, wondered and said "Who would have said it? When you were young everyone used to say you were weak and sick”, to which Morano responded “yes, yes”.

Emma Morano’s caretakers Malgorzat Ceglinska, right, and Yamilec Vergara. (Image: AP)

Morano attributes her longevity to an unusual diet: Three raw eggs a day (now two raw eggs and 150 grams of raw steak after a bout of anemia) — a diet she's been on for decades after a sickly childhood.

Photo of Emma Morano during her youth. (Photo Courtesy: The Sun)

She is the last surviving person who was born in the 1800s.

Video Editor: Sandeep Suman