Friday, January 2, 2009

Why is this constantly in the news?

Ok, I'm trying to figure this out. I've seen this story come up, naturally, every time, the world's oldest person (at that moment) dies. But why? Obviously, someone is keeping track. I don't know why but sometimes I think there's some kind of odd national pride thing going here because of the fact that this country has the oldest person again. It just feels odd to know that the only way that these people will make the news is when someone dies.

World's oldest person dies at the age of 115
LISBON (AFP) – The world's oldest living person, Portuguese national Maria de Jesus, died Friday at the age of 115, the Lusa news agency reported.

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.

A family member told the Lusa news agency that de Jesus died "just after 10:00 am (GMT) while en route to hospital.

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.

After marrying, she moved to the town of Corujo with her husband where she brought up her six children.

De Jesus never "fell ill, nor took any medication," her daughter Maria Madalena told Lusa.

After the death of Maria de Jesus, American Gertrude Baines, born April 6, 1894, becomes the world's oldest person, according to the Gerontology Research Group.

The Los Angeles-based organisation keeps a database of people worldwide who are more than 110 years old.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't know Struke, but I can't keep up with it anymore!!!

Bella

Cliff said...

Hey old man, come to my blog. You've won a Top Banana.

Shelley said...

It's almost like a death watch once they name you the oldest person! Came over here via Wixy's blog.

Chelle said...

Congrats on your Top Banana Award from WIXY! I am really likeing this blog of yours and will visit more often!

Anonymous said...

Bella...pardon the pun, but the story gets "old" after being in the news every time someone dies.

Cliff...I am honored to be recognized by your blogging greatness. The true power the web.

Shellmo...great pictures on your blog, my neighbor to the north!

Chelle...Thank you. I like the theme of your blog...just enjoying each day and living it to the fullest. Sounds like a plan to me.

Connie said...

Struke, I have to think that whoever is supposedly keeping track of this can't ever possibly know who ALL the people who are out there who are more than 110 years old. It seems like a kind of silly thing to report about. People of all ages die everyday. The fact that it is the oldest person just makes it all the more likely and therefore less newsworthy to me.

Anonymous said...

Daisy...I agree. There has to be other people that are just as old that aren't being counted....somewhere.

These 100+ year old folks sure have seen a lot in their lifetime. The last one who passed was born in 1893. So they were old enough to remember the Titanic, the Great Depression, Pearl Harbor and see 9/11.