The oldest living person in the world

Brooke Grebert-Craig
Apr 18, 2018, updated Apr 18, 2018

Masazo Nonaka is currently the oldest living man and enjoys watching TV and reading newspapers. Photo: Getty Photo: Getty

The oldest person in the world constantly changes as the months and years go by.

However in 2014, the number of people over the age of 100 years old jumped by 70 per cent in a decade.

According to The Telegraph, The Department for Work and Pensions now has a ‘Centenarian team’ dedicated to keeping information on the oldest citizens.

Who is the oldest person to ever live?

Jeanne Louise Calment currently holds the record for the oldest person to ever live.

She was born on February 21, 1875 in France and died on August 4, 1997 at the age of 122 and 164 days.

Ms Calment claimed to recall selling coloured pencils to Vincent Van Gogh and saw the Eiffel Tower being built.

In interviews, she attributed her long life to a diet rich in olive oil. She believed this helped her stay calm.

Jeanne Calment is the oldest person to have ever lived. She died at the age of 122. Photo: Getty

Who is the oldest living male?

Masazo Nonaka is currently the oldest living male at 112 years old.

Mr Nonaka was born on July 25, 1905 in Japan. He is the eldest of eight siblings and is the father to five children.

A farmer in his youth, Mr Nonaka ran a hot spring inn in his hometown of Ashoro. To this day he still enjoys spending time at the hot springs, indulging in sweets and cakes.

Mr Nonaka took the title from Francisco Nuñez Olivera who died on January 29, 2018 at the age of 113.

Who is the oldest living female?

Nabi Tajima is the oldest living female and is the oldest living person.

She was born in August 4, 1900 in Japan and is currently 117 years old.

She also holds the record for the oldest verified Japanese person and last surviving person born in the 19th century.

According to Business Insider, she has nine children and 140 descendants including over 28 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren and 35 great-great grandchildren

In interviews, she says her longevity is due to sleeping well and eating delicious food.