Erna Brosig, Germany’s second-oldest living person, dies at 113
The Gerontology Research Group is saddened to report news that Mrs. Erna Brosig, the second-oldest living person in Germany, sadly died in Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany on 23 July 2024 at the age of 113 years, 190 days.
We extend our sincere condolences to the Brosig family.
We are thankful for their years-long love, dedication, and care for Mrs. Erna Brosig, who will not be forgotten. May she rest in peace. Ruhe in Frieden.
Erna Brosig was born in Schlesien, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire (now Lower Silesia Voivodeship, Poland) on 15 January 1911. She bore witness to the winds of change that swept through the 20th century.
World War II ushered her through a series of relocations – from Breslau to Dresden, then Bavaria, and finally settling in Munster for two decades alongside her husband until his passing in 1977.
Following this chapter, Erna found herself in Hannover, specifically in the vibrant residential complex of Ricklinger Bad. While life took her briefly to an elderly home for five years, her heart led her back to the familiar surroundings she cherished.
Remarkably, at the age of 110, Erna Brosig received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on 14 January 2021, underscoring her resilience and commitment to embracing life’s challenges.
As of her 113th birthday, Erna Brosig lived in Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany.
Longevity recognition
Erna Brosig became the oldest known living person in Lower Saxony, following the death of 110-year-old Magdalene Kolterjahn in 2021.
As the oldest known living person in Lower Saxony, Erna carries a legacy of strength, adaptability, and a zest for life. As of July 2024, she stood as the last surviving person in Germany born in 1911, and the second-oldest living person in Germany behind 114-year old Charlotte Kretschmann of Kirchheim unter Teck, Baden-Wuerttemberg.
Let’s celebrate Erna’s remarkable journey, a living testament to the power of resilience and the beauty that a century of life can bring.
Erna Brosig’s validation was very challenging due to the tragic and tangible even today World War II destruction. Nevertheless, her age was verified due to the excellent work by the GRG Correspondents for Germany, Messrs. Stefan Jamin, and Thomas Breining, with the invaluable support of Mrs. Brosig’s family, and validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) as of 27 November 2023.