Émilienne Bécarmin, Guadeloupe’s oldest person ever, dies at 113

The Gerontology Research Group is saddened to report news that Mrs. Émilienne Bécarmin, the oldest person in the French overseas department of Guadeloupe, passed away in Saint-Claude, Guadeloupe, on 15 January 2025, at the age of 113 years, 225 days.
Émilienne Bécarmin was born as Émilienne Vousmoi in Saint-Claude, Guadeloupe, France, on 4 June 1911. She was married and had several children, including Antoine, Christian, Raymond, and Christine. She was a farmer and a merchant, and used to eat healthy vegetables of the countryside. She was called “Mimi” by her relatives.
In October 2015, at the age of 104, Émilienne, alongside four other elderly individuals, participated in the “Semaine Bleue” (Blue Week) at the university campus of Camp-Jacob. Reports highlighted her remarkable vivacity and alertness even in her later years.
Celebrating her 107th birthday in 2018, Émilienne was surrounded by the warmth of her family, friends, and the mayor of Saint-Claude, Elie Califer. Her granddaughter shared, “My grandmother is 107; we must be proud. She forgets nothing: old songs and that.” Noted as the doyenne of the commune of Saint-Claude, Émilienne continued to be a cherished presence in her community.
Reaching the extraordinary milestone of 110 years in June 2021, Émilienne celebrated with seven generations of her family. The mayor of Saint-Claude, Elie Califer, the vice-president of CCAS Armelle Jacoby, and the vice-president of the departmental council of Guadeloupe, Brigitte Rodes, joined the festivities, presenting Emilienne with a medal from the departmental council of Guadeloupe.
On 16 September 2022, following the death of 111-year-old Juliana Sambin, Bécarmin became the oldest living person in Guadeloupe.
On 8 July 2024, at the age of 113 years, 34 days, Bécarmin surpassed the final age of Marthe Roch (1907–2020), becoming the oldest person ever to reside in Guadeloupe.
Following her death, the new oldest living person in Guadeloupe is 108-year-old Gervaise Baclet (born 5 February 1916) of Grand-Bourg, Guadeloupe.
Emilienne Bécarmin, la doyenne de la Guadeloupe, tire sa révérence, à l’âge de 113 ans (France-Antilles Guadeloupe, 17 January 2025)